Scott Glenn gets a job driving and guarding Jade Malle, the daughter of wealthy parents. A first it's a job, and he tries to keep it professional. She, however,makes a friend of him. She is kidnapped and he is wounded. While the parents negotiate with the abductors, Glenn goes limping into action to recover the girl.
If this this-time-it's-personal story sounds familiar, it's because Tony Scott remade it 17 years later with Denzell Washington. The difference lies mainly in the leads: while Glenn is a fine actor and quite believable, Washington is a star, and always doing something to make you watch him to puzzle out what he is doing. Glenn is far more transparent in his performance. Director Élie Chouraqui fills in the gaps left by some dramatic shots of northern Italy, and performances from the likes of Joe Pesci -- who sings! -- and Danny Aiello. The result is good, if not much more.
If this this-time-it's-personal story sounds familiar, it's because Tony Scott remade it 17 years later with Denzell Washington. The difference lies mainly in the leads: while Glenn is a fine actor and quite believable, Washington is a star, and always doing something to make you watch him to puzzle out what he is doing. Glenn is far more transparent in his performance. Director Élie Chouraqui fills in the gaps left by some dramatic shots of northern Italy, and performances from the likes of Joe Pesci -- who sings! -- and Danny Aiello. The result is good, if not much more.