Out of Sight

A few years ago, I read and enjoyed Elmore Leonard's 1996 novel "Out of Sight" which is included in a Library of America volume of "Four Later Novels" of Leonard. I was reminded of "Out of Sight" recently when a friend proposed it for our book group and took the opportunity to watch this 1998 Steven Soderbergh directed film version of Leonard's novel. Films of Leonard's novels are mixed affairs; some succeed, while some fail miserably. Leonard's unique writing and style of dialogue are difficult to capture on film.This film captures the essence of Leonard's novel and succeeds in its own right. It has the crime, humor and sharp characterization of the book and also captures its theme. As is the book, this film is primarily a love story of an unusual kind. The film is set in Florida and in Detroit and involves an unlikely love affair between a career bank robber, Jack Foley, (George Clooney) and a young U.S. Marshall, Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez). The two meet when Sisco is set to a Federal prison in Florida as an escape involving Foley is in progress. A chemistry between the two develops while they are at close quarters in the trunk of an escaping car even as Foley is trying to flee the law and Sisco is trying to bring him in and if necessary take his life. The plot becomes complex as the scene shifts to Detroit to the seamy world of boxing and to crimes and individuals of hard violence. Sisco and Foley remain on opposite sides of the law while having strong feelings for one another.The movie is well-paced and beautifully set with its scenes in Miami. Detroit, and prisons. The acting is excellent throughout, and Leonard's humor is on full display. With all the crime and mayhem, the impossible love between Foley and Sisco remains at the center of the movie.The film was well-reviewed when it came out but was not commercially successful. It appears to have become something of a cult classic with time. I enjoyed watching it and thinking about Leonard's book. The film will have special appeal to admirers of the works and film adaptations of Elmore Leonard.Robin Friedman

This had to have been one of the best films of 1998. I remember seeing it in the theatres when it was released and marveled at the storyline and the director's take on Elmore Leonard's book of the same name. What I really liked was the extra continuity that was put into this film. Seeing Michael Keaton as Ray Nicolette was incredible. I was so shocked at the time! Because Keaton was unbilled in the opening and closing credits, I was pleasantly surprised by his appearance as the same character and remembered him from 1997's Jackie Brown. That is one of the only times in movie history where a character was played by the same actor in two different productions.This movie was a fantastic star vehicle for both Clooney and Lopez! Their chemistry was fantastic! The scene in the trunk of that car was one for the ages! Seeing it again on last night for the first time since 1998 brought back so many memories of yesteryear. Each scene led to another scene and then another which built a phenomenal movie. I just don't understand why it did not do well domestically? Perhaps it was when it was released. Had it been released from January thru April I believe the film would have garnered major bucks as well as critical accolades. Because it is because of the critics that this film is remembered.The supporting cast was top notch as well. Don Cheadle, Ving Rhames, Albert Brooks (Whom I Did Not Recognize At The Time) and of course the late great Dennis Farina (God Rest His Soul) rounded out one of the best ensembles I've ever seen. I don't want to forget Nancy Allen, the hot sexpot of the 1980s who still had a body to die for in the late 1990s. I'd forgotten that she was in that movie.The love scene Lopez and Clooney had together was one of the best I've ever seen. Soderbergh filmed it perfectly and while not over the top it still made you realize that the two had sex at least three times that cold night in Detroit. Then came the obligatory guilt that all women have after sex. Foley handled Sisco's anger perfectly. He did not berate or get angry at her; nor was he dismissive. He simply explained to her how he was drawn to her while telling her (Not In These Words Per Se) that she was not some "score or trick" that he had picked up. I liked the earlier analogy of two people who make eye contact on the street and subsequently pass one another and wonder what could have been. But Clooney's character Foley was wise not to anger Karen Sisco. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. In the end of the movie Lopez's character, Sisco, very easily could have put the bullet in Foleys zipper instead of his leg. Then she might have hooked him up with a savage predator. By soothing Sisco's guilt and ego he assuaged her spirit which would only help him by the end of the story. Instead of experiencing a woman's revenge, Clooney experiences her mercy.I plan to finish the extras on the DVD later on today. But what I did see enamored me more with this film. Soderbergh's interview was quite interesting. But in the DVD he seems to fib when he says that there were many co-stars that were screened but only Jennifer Lopez was considered because: "Something in Lopez pushed him" [George Clooney]. That part is true but from what I read in Wikipedia, Sandra Bullock was considered for the role but did ultimately did not get it because they did not have the right chemistry for Elmore Leonard's movie. Leonard too is a man that is missed. His crime writing is said to be some of the best out there. I'm a reader and I need to read more of his works.To all the naysayers out there I challenge you to see this movie again. If the first scene in Miami at SE 7th Street does not get you into the movie, nothing will. That was a great beginning to the movie. I'll never forget it. I only wish there had been a sequel to this movie. Jack Foley and his character garnered another look.This is the 299th overall review of Out of Sight and the 180th Five Star review. Buy this movie on DVD and you will not regret it.A. Nathaniel Wallace, Jr.

This is after watching the blu ray version.I like Soderbergh's work from start to finish, even Bubble. But Out of Sight stands out as one of his best. The Scott Frank script from an Elmore Leonard novel (one of Mr. Leonard's best I think), provides the solid groundwork for Soderbergh's Lubitsch-like touch. And that cast! Holy Cow, the gods were generous to this film. And every one of them is on form. It is a joy to watch.This a solid transfer and presentation overall. Frankly I think the blu ray is a slight improvement on the DVD that's probably due to the difference in the two technologies.The commentary on the blu ray is lovely. OK Soderbergh bullies Frank a little, but its like a Joking Uncle realtionship to Frank. It's not unlike the Peter Stone - Stanley Donen commentary on the Criterion releases of Charade. Although those two have known each other a lot longer and take no prisoners. This commentary is worth listening to if just to track the changes Frank made to the novel, and the bits of the screenplay Soderbergh ignored. I wish they had gotten Mr. Leonard in for the recording. Then you would have three great storytellers comparing notes. That would have been outstanding. As is, this is pretty great.

from an Elmore Leonard novel about crime and criminals including the George Clooney character who's is pursued by a female US Marshall, but for what ends?. as with most Elmore Leonard books and movies it is charming and clever tale with a very good cast including Jenifer Lopez,Ving Rhames and Don Cheadle. who all perform well. recommended for all

This is one of my favourite Elmore Leonard movie adaptations alongside Jackie Brown and Get Shorty. I don't want to spoil the story but I will say that the chemistry between Clooney and Lopez is off the charts and makes the tryst between their characters, on opposites of the law, all the more believable.

Good movie with George Clooney

George Clooney stars with Jennifer Lopez in this excellent and entertaining romantic heist movie, unfortunately much overlooked and poorly promoted on its theatrical release. Based on the novel by Elmore Leonard and superbly and subtly directed by Steven Soderbergh. George Clooney (as bank robber Jack Foley) and Jennifer Lopez (as Federal Marshall Karen Sisco) light up the screen with previously unparalleled sexual chemistry in the movie that finally launched their big screen careers to the A list, after previous false starts (such as The Peacemaker and The Money Train respectively). Also boasting a very impressive supporting cast that includes Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle, Steve Zahn, Albert Brooks, Dennis Farina (as Jennifer Lopez father) and great cameos from Michael Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson, movies really don't get much better than this.Principally this is the story of serial bank robber Jack Foley and Federal Marshall Karen Sisco, on opposite sides of the law but inescapably attracted to each other. When Jack escapes from prison aided by his friend Buddy (Rhames) he ends up in the trunk of a car with the kidnapped Karen Sisco (Lopez) after she nearly foils the prison break. However, thanks to their inept friend Glenn Michaels (Zahn), Karen escapes and Jack and Buddy have to go on the run. Meanwhile, Karen Sisco is hot on Jack's trail in more ways than one in this brilliantly played, beautifully written, excellently directed movie. This has everything I love about movies, a great story, great cast and great style. Truly unmissable and well worthy of five stars.