MONTANA
US, 1998, 96 minutes, Colour.
Kyra Sedgwick, Stanley Tucci, Robin Tunney, Robbie Coltrane, John Ritter, Ethan Embry, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Mark Boone Junior.
Directed by Jennifer Leitzes.
Montana is a thriller about a group of criminals, the Boss being Robbie Coltrane and his duplicitous assistant, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Kyra Sedgwick and Stanley Tucci play a couple who are able to do the hands-on jobs for the Boss, rounding up those who welched on deals, who failed to bring in money when they served as bag-man. Robin Tunney is the mistress of the Boss, seemingly a passive personality until the film develops and she exhibits quite a strength. John Ritter is a smooth-talking alleged doctor who writes books on personal development but who operates a money-laundering scheme. Ethan Embry plays the son of the Boss.
Montana is seen only in the opening credits and at the end of the film. It is more of a goal, a quest for those who want to get out of the criminal world of Los Angeles. In the meantime, the film is very much an urban thriller, with unpleasant characters – and where the couple who do the hands-on work are the most sympathetic characters along with the Boss’s mistress.
Commentators at the time noted the influence of Quentin Tarantino and his tough thrillers. This is probably true. However, as time goes past, this tough thriller can stand by itself – as well as relying on its very strong cast, all of whom went on to stronger films in the succeeding years, including an Oscar for Philip Seymour Hoffman as Capote, and Kyra Sedgwick starring in a series, The Closer.
1. A crime film of the 1990s? The amoral background and characters, violence? An influence of Quentin Tarantino or not?
2. The city atmosphere, the aerial shots looking down at the buildings and streets, punctuating the action? Streets, buildings, apartments, interiors? The park and the grave? The countryside? The musical score?
3. Montana seen during the credits, as a goal for the characters, the journey to Montana, seen at the end? A symbol of peace and hope?
4. The strong cast, their careers, contribution to this film?
5. Nick and Claire, searching the streets, night, the city, punching out the Asian man, abducting him, putting him in the boot of the car? Picking up the wrong man? Dumping him, taking the other man? Their amoral attitudes? No exhibited feelings? Delivering the abducted man? The audience with the Boss? The man tied to the heater, sweating it out?
6. The gang, Robbie Coltrane as the Boss, large, dominant, control? His son, being mocked by the others, with the gun? His kicking the Asian man? Duncan and his role, smooth-talking, cunning, his having some of the henchmen onside, the plan with the money, with the doctor? Setting up Nick and Claire as scapegoats? The group playing poker, the shooting of hands after losses? Claire joining in? Nick sitting aside, talking with Kitty? The activities of the group, money?
7. The Boss, the abducted man, interrogating him, the threats for torture, his pulling the gun, being shot? Nick shooting him? Duncan and the gun, manoeuvring the situation?
8. Nick and Kitty, Duncan and Kitty, the discussions about her escape? Giving her the gun? Claire and Jimmy, going to find Kitty after her escape? Their going to visit Doctor Wexler? Jimmy and his awkwardness, sitting and standing, the bluffs? Doctor Wexler and his system, his interest in Kitty? Jimmy and the assault? Kitty’s reaction, shooting him? Claire and having to cope with this new situation? Phoning Nick? Going in to see the Boss, incurring his wrath? The Boss and his being persuaded by Duncan to consider her as the enemy? His giving orders for her death?
9. Kitty as a character, bargained to the Boss at age fifteen? Hanging around, the mistress? The Boss and his brutality, orders? Nick and his gentleness? Duncan and his urging her to escape? Her being found, the blood, going to the salon to be cleaned up? With Claire in her apartment, tied up? Nick arriving, freeing her, the assassin coming in, stalking the house, Nick shooting him? Claire’s decision to take her in, the Boss’s treatment of her, Claire and Kitty persuading her to go to Montana? The thugs arriving, Doctor Wexler’s men, Kitty pretending to fall on the bed, getting the gun, shooting? Claire and Kitty and their driving to Montana?
10. Duncan and his plan, his men, his antagonism towards Claire, persuading the Boss? Taking her to dig her grave? The boy coming and asking questions? Claire and her quick move, shooting the assassins, pushing Duncan into the grave, killing him? Filling it in – and the little boy helping?
11. Doctor Wexler, his book, fans, smooth talk? The money-laundering? His plans against the Boss, using Duncan? Offering the job to Claire? The meal, the discussions with Elliot, shooting him at the table? Claire and Kitty and their reaction? His sending henchmen to get rid of Claire?
12. Nick, his character, having the money, counting it meticulously, the assassins coming, his quick wits, shooting them? Going to Claire’s apartment, stalking the killer, shooting him? The room and the siege, firing with Claire, his being wounded? The background of his illness, his pills, coughing up blood? Going to the ice cream parlour, the thousand dollars for the apple pie? The girls, indulging himself before he died?
13. Claire, the opportunities to run the gang, her decision to leave, killing the Boss, dropping Kitty, driving into her future?
