No Way Out (1987) User Reviews

Good thriller with one terrible scene

[andrewrigby1 · 7/10 · 16 April 2023]

A solid thriller. Costner and Hackman on good form. The tension is skilfully ratcheted up, particularly after the slow-ish start (the first third of the movie establishes the groundwork but isn't that interesting in itself). The twists and turns are neatly handled and the plot sticks to the landing without losing itself to excessive silliness. Good stuff!

But that scene where Costner and Sean Young get it off in the back of the car to the smooth sounds of an 80's power ballad is amongst the most horrifically cliched 80's sex scenes you'll ever see in a movie. Just when it can't get any worse: the saxophone comes in! Thankfully it doesn't hijack the rest of the movie.

A high-tech murder and cover-up thriller

[NewEnglandPat · 7/10 · 17 July 2005]

This film is a taut thriller and has a very good pairing of Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman in a story of a cover-up and murder. Sean Young is the tragic figure who falls for Costner and sets in motion the wheels that make this picture one of the best of its type. Plot twists and suspense are highlighted by great acting, and as the cover-up unravels, Costner finds himself in increasing danger in the halls of the Pentagon. Will Patton and George Dzunda are solid in support of the leads although Patton is a bit over the top as Hackman's attack dog. This fine film is marred by an ending that doesn't connect with the film's plot or pulse and gives the picture an awkward, unsatisfying conclusion. Costner is the hero but it is Hackman who makes this picture as good as it is.

A brilliant cold war thriller that is as rivetting today as it was when it was made in 1987.

[matahar · 28 February 1999]

"No Way Out" is one of the most original, suspenseful, tightly-knit thrillers ever made, comparable to John Frankenheimer's "Seven Days in May". Set in the Cold War era, Gene Hackman plays the Secretary of Defense, a married man obsessed with his mistress, the exquisitely beautiful Sean Young...as is her other secret lover, Costner, a Naval Admiral who is the C.I.A.'s Liaison. When Hackman accidentally kills Young in a jealous rage, a cover-up begins to find the notorious, never-seen Russian mole "Yuri" who works within the Pentagon, and to frame him for the murder. Costner is commanded to oversee the operation, and the action begins...and is sustained with the intensity of a race on the Autobahn. The amazing all-star cast also features Will Patton, George Dzunda, Iman and David Paymer. Costner delivers what is perhaps his most subtle performance. What distinguishes "No Way Out" is its brilliant plotting, tautness, and constant surprises...with the ending being the most deliriously mind-blowing surprise of all.

Definitely underrated first-class thriller

[Zekarius · 9/10 · 21 March 2007]

There are only a fistful movies I gave 9 points. This is one them. After watching it I immediately had an itch to watch a sequel (regrettably impossible due to the story line). Didn't actually want it to stop and was sad that it ended. (True for just a few other movies, like for example Dr. Zhivago or 12 Monkeys) When I checked the IMDb - rating composition to find out why this movie is so grotesquely underrated, I asserted that the IMDb Staff gave 8 points, anyway. (Phew!) One of the very few US-thrillers, the end of which I wasn't able to predict. Gene Hackman and Kevin Costner are habitually brilliant, Will Patton deserves an Oscar as the best supporting actor in my book.

Let's make the whole movie a flashback

[heliotropetwo · 6/10 · 12 February 2008]

Try watching this one without the first and last scenes. It's like they didn't give Kostner that part of the script until he finished the rest of the movie. The result is fine if you have no memory, but if you should dare to think about what you've seen, you find one huge and unacceptable flaw: The character you see acted is not the one the movie wants you to take with you when you go.

It isn't so much that the big surprise isn't fun, it's that there's too much good acting before this huge surprise happens to let you accept the humongous surprise as anything but an effort to con the audience into thinking they've seen a smart movie. Alas, it isn't a smart movie, it's a pretty good movie with a stupid device.

I'm reminded of the efforts to save a movie by inserting a narrator. Here it seems to me they've tried to goose up a pretty good movie by using a big surprise. It's a cheat.

Underrated

[Tin_ear · 8/10 · 13 January 2020]

The last quarter drags on a little too long, and the characters and their decisions often seem unrealistically erratic, but it all comes together in the end. I was surprised this movie was able to pay off so well. The finale comes out of nowhere, but it provides the plot and main character some depth.

Music is corny though. Some of it sounds like it was made for a bad '80s TV show. That's my lone complaint.

Pulpy--Yet Entertaining--1980s Political Thriller

[zkonedog · 7/10 · 5 June 2023]

Watching "No Way Out" is like reading a dime store pulp novel: it doesn't really amount to much in the end, but there are twists and turns aplenty to keep you interested and engaged. Fortunately, a wonderful cast helps this pulpy thriller remain somewhat memorable in the annals of film.

For a very basic overview, "No Way Out" tells the story of Tom Farrell (Kevin Costner), a naval officer who is romancing Susan Atwell (Sean Young). The problem? Tom's boss--Secretary of Defense David Brice (Gene Hackman)--is also "involved" with Ms. Atwell and responsible for her death. This sets off a cat-and-mouse coverup scheme as Farrell and Brice both try to resolve the situation.

As previously mentioned, there are quite a few plot machinations that get thrown at "No Way Out" viewers. If they are all truly scrutinized, they don't hold up to much--if any--logic. As such, this film was never going to be any sort of all-time classic. That being said, there are three aspects that director Roger Donaldson and writers Kenneth Fearing & Robert Garland have going for them here...

First, the combination of Costner (in between his Bull Durham & Field of Dreams roles), Hoosiers-era Hackman, and an almost impossibly young Will Patton could make just about anything watchable. The chemistry between those three stalwarts (plus a vivacious Young) alone is worth the price of admission.

Secondly, "No Way Out" is sort of a "ticking clock" of suspense and tension. It seems as if everything is a race to grab some piece of information or individual before someone else gets to him/her, which makes it so that the proceedings are never dull or bland. It also features technology that, while laughably out-of-date now, was cutting edge in the late-80s.

Finally, a whopper of a surprise ending is completely and utterly ludicrous, yet so out-of-left-field that it actually works well amidst all the other pulp in "No Way Out". One of those situations where you sort of know the ending is ridiculous, yet it doesn't rankle because that is largely the name of the game all the way through.

Overall, watching "No Way Out" is a bit of a wild experience no matter how you slice it. I'd never give it a cent over 7/10 stars, but if you can turn the plot-based, analytical part of your brain off and just ride the rollercoaster--while enjoying some actors at the top or beginning of their games--it can be enjoyed.

NO WAY, Indeed

[thesar-2 · 8/10 · 2 November 2020]

Wow, as good as this was and it was only slightly above good, the ending I DID NOT SEE COMING FROM 50 MILES AWAY sold me all the way to a solid 8/10 stars.

Never saw this before tonight, but I've known of it since it came out. Probably never seen it because for the longest time I couldn't stand Kevin Costner. Then he made Dances with Wolves and I loved him. Then he made Waterworld and The Postman Back to Back, so I didn't like him again.

But, then I opened my eyes. Noticed him in so many other movies where he was basically perfect and I've been a Costner fan ever since. No way out of this last bond.

So, tonight, while looking for a political thriller - hopefully slow burn, I came across this title in my research. With the HIGH recommendation I found, plus Costner and an all-star cast of the late 80s, I watched it. I knew the basic-basic plot and began, subconsciously looking for clues as I'm accustomed to these late 80s thrillers.

Costner's high-ranking Naval Officer is having a relationship with Sean Young who also happens to be dating his newest boss, The Secretary of Defense. Easy peasy, but muddy. And then, bam, a wrench/twist is thrown in and Costner has to work with/around a coverup even though he might be a suspect, himself.

And that's like 40% of the story. Watch for the rest.

I was rewarded with what I needed: a slow-burn, political thriller. This is 100% that, until the inevitable and messy climax that 100% elevates this above expectations. Sorry I didn't see this sooner, but glad I finally did.

***

Final thoughts: #1 boy, I'm glad I changed my mind to Costner. He is one incredible, thoughtful and brilliant actor. #2, unrelated, half-way thru I wondered if Hackman is still alive. Fair question, he's been out of the spotlight for a while. He is, and also 90. 90! Sadly, Sean Connery JUST died yesterday, and he was 90. I know it's 2020 and aside from a possible positive that comes out of the November 3rd election in 2 days, nothing else comes out of 2020 safe. Here's to your health, Mr. Luthor!

The second Populist formula of Men In Uniform romance segments after Top-Gun

[CihanVercan · 7/10 · 30 June 2010]

A naval officer becomes a hero after rescuing his ship crew from a whirlpool in Atlantic. By means of his international intelligence service experience -which is hidden in story until the ending- he's hired by a job in Pentagon to work as an assistant of National Defense minister. Through KGB connections the defence ministry gives him a top secret mission to exterminate a CIA funding operation called The Phantom Submarine, but to let the media know what's going on, his heroic rescue is being shown to cloak the facts with KGB.

Though it's a remake of Yves Montand's Police Python and John Farrow's The Big Clock, this film offers couple surprises and endless suspense. Compare it with the best movies of 1987, Timothy Dalton's James Bond flick "The Living Daylights" or Charlie Sheen's "Wall Street" is not offering you anything as a surprising and twisted story. No Way Out possesses a sense of film noir from the post-modern world war-II era. For me in every aspect No Way Out comes before its comparisons if the consideration is onto plot, story, thriller, suspense.

Those were the factors what makes No Way Out favoured and likable. But for professional audiences and concerns, first of all No Way Out has everything in common with the Film Noir age movies; a hero and his squeeze, he's growing suspect if she's on cheating him, suddenly she dies creating a twist in the story, hero runs after to solve the mystery of her death, as simple as that. It doesn't have an effective drama plot or no good sub-plots. The only purpose is to sell more tickets. It has all the necessities for a populist production, but doesn't reflect any messages, it doesn't tell nothing to the viewer. Things happen and we watch it with excitement, wondering what's gonna happen next, that's all. The filming and directing dexterity as a whole production is what the main problem is. No wonder why no awards for this movie.

Considering Redford & Dunaway's "Three Days of The Condor(1975)", I expected to see better intelligence bureau movies in 1980s and 1990s. But not until 21st century you come across another good governmental crime. After the death of the leading actress in the film, the romance segment ends off, then we're stuck in the Pentagon, watching things happening between CIA, NSA and KGB all trying to give an end to a scandal before it rises. If you're looking to find a good crime film, you're in the wrong place.

I will finish up with what I liked most in No Way Out. It's a great popcorn movie, a perfect choice for having fun with family or with spouse/girlfriend. Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman together enhances the viewing quality. One of the best movies of Kevin Costner, and includes some memorable moments of him with his female cast-mate. Just for its moments of romance its better than Top Gun. Remember Top Gun was half-a-romance movie, this was even one-third in length. 1980s was the generation when all the women in the world dreamt and fantasized of MEN IN UNIFORM.

I disagree with the critics (once again...)

[buiger · 5/10 · 1 October 2007]

I am usually a sucker for good thrillers, but I seem to be one of few that has found this film to be at best mediocre, especially considering the presence of Kevin Costner and (especially) Gene Hackman.

The plot is so ridiculous (to put it mildly) that I find myself unable to accept it and therefore enjoy the movie as such. There are too many flaws, to many unanswered questions, too many inconsistencies... The premise in itself would have been acceptable, but everything else seems to have been inserted without any thought, without any prior research, even without common sense in my opinion. The resulting situations are sometimes even funny, bordering on the grotesque, which definitely cannot be considered as a plus for a thriller which appears to take itself seriously. And then there is the ending... (no comment)

All in all, a below average movie.

Solid thriller that raises above average thanks to fantastic final

[Maziun · 7/10 · 28 July 2013]

For most of it's time "No way out" is a conventional and good thriller . The movie proceeds as expected . Still , the more you watch the movie the more your are dragged into the story . Roger Donaldson certainly directs it with confidence . In the end , when the last half of hour comes you will be rewarded by the story . There is both adrenaline and shock for you there.

Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman deliver what you could expect from them. Costner is quite wooden , but tolerable . Hackman is good . If you seen him in "Absolute power" you won't be surprised by his performance here. George Dzundza gives a memorable performance as a scientist on a wheelchair.

Two persons steal the show . Sean Young hasn't got too much screen time, yet she fills the movie with energy and vulnerability when she's on screen. Will Patton gives the best performance of the movie as a man dedicated to Hackman . He's two-faced , cold , cynical and ruthless. A nomination for Oscar would do him justice.

I give it 7/10 . Watch it . You won't regret it . The final is worth watching itself. Mind blowing.

A well-plotted Script builds to a Great Final Twist!

[Obsidian-4 · 7/10 · 6 May 1999]

The plot is what stands out here. The title describes it. The character is put in a "No Way Out" situation, and for the last hour the viewer gets to watch him scramble for a way out while the trap slowly closes in. It is very well done. The scenes that stand out for me are the one in which the protagonist discovers the snare he is in, and the final revelation. There are spots in which the pacing lags a bit, and 2 or 3 plot points that stretch credibility. The overall product is very strong. This was a fun one to watch.

Good

[simonynwa-16181 · 6/10 · 1 April 2016]

It takes quite a while to get going and the film is firmly rooted in the 80s, not just from a storyline perspective, but also in terms of its production. The only meaningful female role is poorly developed, although Young does her best with what she has and the relationship between her and Costner feels forced. The score is also dreadful. But once the main plot kicks in, this becomes an intriguing conspiracy thriller as Costner attempts to stay one step ahead of the investigation he is heading. Hackman is surprisingly low-key here, but Will Patton as his right-hand man and Costner's main antagonist is good value. It is also a film that is defined by its great ending, a scene that is surprisingly low-key in its delivery, but works extremely well in the context of the overall film. It's a shame that repeat viewings don't really offer much to reevaluate characters and plot points as a result but it still makes for a clever resolution.

From the depth of fourth time around

[cougmumby · 9/10 · 11 October 2013]

I've just hauled this off the shelf and watched it for the umpteenth time. Flawed though it is, I love it. The controversy amid reviewers is surprising to me; but perhaps I don't watch sufficient "thrillers" to have a list of expectations--which several folks seem to have found unfulfilled.

Spoilers: "No Way Out" is composed of one surprise after another...a series of surprises, if you will. From learning that Tom and Susan's original meeting was contrived by others to the shock of her murder, to the reappearance of the forgotten Polaroid negative, to the murder of the IT man and the final scene, with its suspense-filled last scene, I--as a repeat viewer--was constantly aware of Tom's reaction to every incident in the light of what the ending revealed to us....as well as what it did not. The last line, "let him go. He'll be back. He has nowhere else to go" is so poignant.

This is very early Costner. The work of a business administration major who suddenly decided he wanted to act. The subtleties in what I understand was only his second performance are astonishing. If you didn't like it, forget it. but if you did, I strongly recommend watching it at least three times.

Very exciting!

[HotToastyRag · 8/10 · 18 June 2017]

Sex, murder, mystery, politics—No Way Out has it all! If you like edge-of-your-seat thrillers, don't let the 80s release date fool you. This could have been released last week; it's that exciting!

Kevin Costner has a great job at the Pentagon, working directly under the Secretary of Defense, Gene Hackman. When he starts seeing an alluring young woman, he thinks he's on top of the world. What he doesn't know is that his new girlfriend is also his boss's mistress!

This is a fast-paced, intense thriller with a hot romance, exciting action scenes, and twists and turns in nearly every scene. If you like thrillers, you'll love this! Check it out during your next movie night; in the right circumstances, it could even be a good date movie.

"When I leave, it will be out the front door".

[PredragReviews · 7/10 · 1 June 2016]

"No Way Out" is simply one of the best Kevin Costner movies I've ever seen. I believe this was where he scored his first break as a talented action star with his sexy and heart throb good looks. The cover up story is very nerve racking that you can really feel the suspense around it. The movie runs for almost 2 hours and it takes you around the Washington DC area & the Pentagon and is worth watching over & over again. The chronology of episodes really intensifies the viewers until the whole cover up explodes at the climax. The movie also ignites with passion, as Kevin Costner fell for the Secretary of Foreign Affair's mistress played by Sean Young. Of course, Gene Hackman, one of the all time best actors around, also played a good role as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Sex & politics is just a hot topic of our times and in the coming November 2000 elections especially when loyalty and integrity and devotion to your job & countrymen come into play. That's what this movie stirs some criticisms but not this extreme.

Fast-paced, suspenseful, and exhibiting all the aspects of a classic Soviet-era spy game drama, "No Way Out" will have you poised on the edge of your seat. The story is really well done & shines in the movie. The camera-work is really good, as is the music, special effects, & the pacing, but the pacing is uneven at spots but generally well done. With a fine supporting role from Will Patton (who would later appear in the less successful "The Postman" with Costner) "No Way Out" keeps you on the edge of your seat from start-to-surprise end finish.

Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

lackluster remake

[mjneu59 · 5/10 · 20 December 2010]

Transplanting the plot of 1947's 'The Big Clock' from its newspaper setting to the netherworld of Washington politics was a good idea, but for all its nerve-wracking paranoia the remake isn't half as entertaining as the original. Kevin Costner (rarely out of his glistening white uniform) portrays a Pentagon naval officer assigned by the Secretary of Defense to investigate the murder of the Secretary's mistress (who was Costner's lover as well), and complications arise after the bewildered officer begins to find all the evidence pointing to himself as the primary suspect. It's all an elaborate frame-up, of course, but because the true identity of the killer is never in question the film has to rely instead on routine (and often gratuitous) doses of violence and sex to hold the viewer's interest (and bring the story up to date from its original 1947 setting). Costner plays a refreshingly fallible hero, and the government corruption sub-plot is certainly topical, but the illogical and unnecessary epilogue comes close to spoiling the rest of the film, by adding one plot twist too many to an already cluttered scenario.

Sleazy beginning, but good

[gagewyn · 10 February 2000]

No Way Out is a suspense movie set during the cold war. Political intrigue within the US government is the focus of the film. The politically powerful Brice accidentally kills his mistress. Things get out of hand and he decides to frame her other lover as a spy. He knows that she is seeing someone else but has no idea who. Farrel, her other lover, is the man assigned to her case. He realizes that the investigation will eventually expose him, and when the investigators begin using a computer to restore a partially developed polaroid of Farrel found in the dead girlÕs things he has a good idea of how much time he has. There are some tense moments as Farrel trys to expose Brice before he is caught. Also there are a string of neat twists at the end, which succeed in not being corny.

This is worth your time. I definitely recommend it for fans of military suspense or cold war movies.

Taut, engaging Cold War thriller

[Mr-Fusion · 7/10 · 12 November 2015]

As political thrillers go, "No Way Out" is right up there, surprising in its lasting effectiveness. Put simply, it holds up, and if you can abide the unfortunate score, then you're in for something pretty cool. Costner proves his leading man capabilities and the whole cast is good (it even features an uncharacteristically emotive Will Patton). I guess it's a good rule of thumb that if you need a corrupt politician, you can't go wrong with Gene Hackman. Hackman's reliable in just about any role, but even more so here.

Without spoiling anything, this has a really memorable ending; the kind that just sorta sneaks up behind you and punches you in the mouth. But even knowing what ultimately happens in this story, I still got caught up in the main espionage plot: Costner trying to outsmart a frameup as the walls close in; almost enough to make me forget the final twist. That says a lot about the craft behind such a movie.

7/10

An Innocent Man Investigates Himself

[romanorum1 · 7/10 · 4 August 2017]

US Navy Lt. Commander Tom Farrell (Kevin Costner) is a Pentagon officer assigned to the personal staff of the scheming Secretary of Defense David Brice (Gene Hackman). At a formal ball in Washington DC, Farrell is first introduced to Brice through the latter's fanatically devoted general council, Scott Pritchard (Will Patton). Exhibiting the most suggestive body language at the ball, sexy Susan Atwell (Sean Young) also meets Farrell. As their chemistry immediately clicks, they have a quick tryst; the sex scene in the limo is fairly noteworthy. Although Atwell is the mistress of the married Brice, her affair with Farrell continues for several months. Meanwhile Brice has as a chief rival, Senator Duvall (Howard Duff), who wants the Secretary of Defense to approve of the "Phantom Submarine," which is the size of an aircraft carrier. Brice is against the proposed project because the sub's huge size will make it easy for the Soviet Russian enemy to detect.

Knowing that his lover has been with another man, Brice confronts her in the apartment that he has paid for her. In a jealous rage he strikes her so hard that she falls backward over the balcony railing, striking the lower level and breaking her neck. In a panic, Brice calls his devoted servant Pritchard, who masterminds a plan to protect his boss from scandal and pin the crime on someone else. Pritchard's plan is to search for a supposed mole in the Defense Department: a Russian spy sent by the Soviet KGB to America while young and who can pass as a real American. His code name is "Yuri." Pritchard's stratagem is to blame Atwell's death on this fictional lover "Yuri" and thus deflect attention away from the Secretary of Defense. Of course it was Farrell who had just left Atwell's apartment before Brice arrived and killed her. Farrell knows the killer has to be Brice. As Pritchard needs a front man, navy officer Farrell, who performed a heroic act at sea, is chosen. While the CID (Criminal Investigation Division of Army Intelligence) removes items from Atwell's apartment, Farrell is somewhat suspicious as he is ordered to report only to Brice or Pritchard, and to avoid the FBI, CIA, or the Washington Police. In a short time Farrell will realize that the criminal investigation will lead to him as the fall guy. The clues, though untainted, are all stacked against him!

Kevin O'Brien (Leon Russom) of the FBI is suspicious, though, of the motives of the Brice team. When an associate says that Atwell was the mistress of either Brice or Pritchard, O'Brien retorts, "Pritchard is homosexual!" Then Senator Duvall comes into Brice's office to do business on his pet project, the proposed submarine. Pritchard makes a vague promise to him, to get him away. Meanwhile Farrell is convinced of the cover-up. He says to Pritchard that even if "Yuri" exists, he did not murder Atwell! Farrell tries to quit the investigation but is without success. In the denouement, the Brice team has brought two witnesses into the Pentagon building. So, as the workers begin to leave their jobs for the day, all of the exits are sealed except for the main one. The witnesses are on the watch for "Yuri." Once the building has emptied out, it's floor to floor, and room to room. How can Farrell escape? At the very end there is a huge twist that you will not see coming!

Although it is a military setting, "No Way Out" owes much to "The Big Clock" (1948), where magazine journalist Ray Milland is framed by powerful publishing tycoon Charles Laughton for the murder of the latter's mistress. Laughton, like Hackman's Brice, doesn't really know the identity of the innocent man that he is framing. Milland, like Costner, is picked to lead an investigation against himself.

The actors all do well in "No Way Out," with Costner and Patton taking the top honors with their electrifying performances. Filming locations were in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. See this movie because it's a good one!

Cold War Spy Thriller

[CheshireCatsGrin · 9/10 · 5 May 2007]

I remember being in the theater with my friend, and she turned to me and said about Costner "He is just so good in this film" and I replied "He will be somebody someday." This was that kind of film. You felt the performances in your bones.

The film had that type of chemistry between all the major players. The plot would just seem like it was going to lag and then you get twisted around again. Three years later I went out and bought the script with a month's worth of money from my first job. I still have that script on my bookshelf. I also have had a copy of this film in my collection for the last 10 years.

Sean Young was still at her peak and the limousine scene is unforgettable. It is also proof that you can add sex in a movie without making the audience think they will be taking time away from the theme and plot of the movie. Will Patton of Remember the Titans was also starting his movie career and played his character of a "protect the Director at any cost" to a "T". Gene Hackman was Brice in this movie.

George Dzundza as the loyal friend, Iman as the South African caught in the middle of her friend's indiscretion and Chris D. as one of the "Contras" helped round out the supporting cast.

Roger Donaldson's direction really helped you feel the tense pace and the closed in feelings in the Pentagon.

I gave this film a 9 because it may be seen as outdated due to some cold war references.

Enjoyable romp- just one thing though...

[maggiesoup-863-26136 · 7/10 · 27 July 2020]

The music was truly awful- typical 80s electronic trash, which immediately dates the film. I love movie music but this surely could have been done so much better. Shame, really, because it wasn't too bad a movie!

Counting down the hours for some self investigation.

[hitchcockthelegend · 8/10 · 18 May 2013]

No Way Out is directed by Roger Donaldson and adapted to screenplay by Robert Garland from the novel "The Big Clock" written by Kenneth Fearing. It stars Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Sean Young, Will Patton, George Dzundza and Howard Duff. Music is by Maurice Jarre and cinematography by John Alcott.

Already filmed impressively as The Big Clock in 1948, Fearing's ingenious source material gets a shift to a Pentagon backdrop and still comes out a winner. Putting their own spin on the central story, that of a man finding he is investigating "himself" during a murder enquiry, the makers unfurl a labyrinthine plot that keeps up the suspense quota right to the very end.

In true noir style, the story is crammed with double bluffs, deceit, sex and death, with the added ingredient of politico intrigue to spice things still further. Cast are led superbly by Costner and Hackman, though Young is a bit too dull an actress to really put fire into the key femme role, and Alcott makes great use of the real Washington locations to bring visual authenticity to the story's setting.

Jarre's score is hokey sounding and doesn't sit right with the dramatics on show, while the big reveal at the finale is still as divisive today as it was back on the film's release, but this is still a fine example of a film noir remake that really works for the neo-noir loving crowd. 8/10

Watch our for Yuri

[rollernerd · 6/10 · 7 August 2021]

Welcome back to another edition of Adam's Reviews!! **queue in intro music**

Tonight's movie review is the thriller No Way Out (1987) starring the likeable Costner as Tom Farrell, navy officer who gets posted at the Pentagon and is working for the Secretary of Defence Brice played by the legend himself Gene Hackman. Farrell soon starts a love affair with mysterious Susan Atwell played by Sean Young aka Finkle for you Ace Ventura fans. What Farrell soon finds out is that Atwell is also the mistress of Brice and when Brice finds out that Atwell is seeing someone behind his back (not know its Farrell) he accidently murders her. What happens next is a cover up and a witch hunt to find the killer who is supposedly believed to be a KGB mole. The whole KGB Russian stuff - why?? Anyways, Farrell has plays around the clock to play the hunter even though he is the prey while trying to figure out how to clear his name. An interesting thriller with an interesting twist at the end however the story to me along with some of the acting wasn't the best. Firstly its Hackman, he just changes his character tone from being all mighty at the beginning to a softy in the middle and in the end somewhere got the cajunes to set up a diabolical story - it didn't mesh up. And the dynamic between Hackman and Will Patton's character Pritchard was weird as - it's like Mr. Burns and Smithers from The Simpsons and in the story literally the latter loves the former, but the former is too powerful and naive to ever notice. Another weird part was the introduction of the KGB, maybe it's the 80s therefore it's the Cold War element, but bringing up this sub plot which really becomes the main plot didn't fit with the tone of the film. The cool part of the flick is when Costner runs around trying to eliminate evidence before anyone finds out while also trying to hide away from key eye witnesses. But what I didn't understand is if this bloke is who he is, how on earth did he get to be Pritchard's mate during their tour and schooling? Didn't add up. Overall, there are few pleasant twists, particularly the very end however it's not a great movie by any means but still enjoyable - 6/10.

Great Kevin Costner thriller

[SnoopyStyle · 8/10 · 10 August 2014]

Commander Tom Farrell (Kevin Costner) is a naval officer who is being interrogated. Six months earlier, Farrell got involved with Susan Atwell (Sean Young) without knowing that she's the mistress to the secretary of defense David Brice (Gene Hackman). He's starting a new job under Brice working with an old friend Scott Pritchard (Will Patton). Eventually Farrell finds out that Brice is the other man. A jealous Brice strikes Susan off the balcony to her death. Pritchard works to cover it up and find the other lover who is a possible witness. There is a negative to a Polaroid under the bed and Pritchard claims it as a photo of a KGB mole. Farrell is put in charge as Sam Hesselman (George Dzundza) tries to regenerate the photo.

It's a terrific noir thriller. Once the movie turns into an investigation, the paranoia and the intensity ramp up multiple folds. It's like a runaway train. It's an exciting psychological thriller without the action scenes. With this, Kevin Costner is on his way to becoming the biggest star in Hollywood.