Synopsis
While pursuing the elusive Code Killer, Terry McCaleb (Clint Eastwood) suffers a heartattack. Two-and-a-half years later, recovering well from a heart transplant, McCaleb is visitedby the sister of the woman whose heart he now has. She would like him to investigate the sister’smurder. Some of the plot twists you can see coming, and the story takes a major credibilityhit three quarters of the way through, when Eastwood gets involved with a woman young enoughto be his grandda…ghter. The killer isn’t the most convincing character either. On the other hand,the story keeps your interest, and the by-play between Eastwood and the supporting characters(including Anjelica Huston as his doctor) is strong.
Audio
A very strong audio mix, with careful attention paid to both music and sound effects. Theenvironment is close to total, and the right effects show up at the right time (really nice workwith the helicopter in the opening).
Video
The picture is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, and not the 1.85:1 indicated bysome sources. The transfer is very sharp, nicely capturing the rather unusual high-key lightingscheme adopted by the film. the flesh tones and contrasts are strong (the night scenes at the endare especially well done), and there is only very, very slight edge enhancement visible. The layertransition, however, is extremely clumsy.
Special Features
How can you tell that the film was a box-office dud? By the dearth of extras. You’ve got twofeaturettes (one mostly in Spanish), and they’re the usual sort of promotional thing. Then thereare cast and crew filmographies (selected), the teaser and the trailer, and that’s all. The menu hasa scored main page.
Closing Thoughts
No, this isn’t going to topple Unforgiven as perhaps Eastwood’s finest moment as a director.Yes, this is a minor exercise. But it is entertaining, and you could do far worse as a rental.
Special Features List
- 2 Featurettes
- Teaser
- Trailer
