STEVEN SODERBERGH

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBBB.  

USA, 1998.  Universal Pictures, Jersey Films.  Screenplay by Scott Frank, based on the novel by Elmore Leonard.  Cinematography by Elliot Davis.  Produced by Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher.  Music by David Holmes.  Production Design by Gary Frutkoff.  Costume Design by Betsy Heimann.  Film Editing by Anne V. Coates.  Academy Awards 1998.  Boston Film Critics Awards 1998.  

Ultra-cool tale of an ex-con bank robber (George Clooney) who falls in love with the FBI Agent (Jennifer Lopez) on his tail. Ving Rhames shines as Clooney’s partner in crime in this adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s novel, which features a great script by Scott Frank, classy cinematography and fantastic editing by Oscar winner Anne V. Coates (Lawrence of Arabia). You’ve never seen Lopez better than in this film: she’s glamorous, tough, smart and sexy, and managed to undo it all a year later with her singing career. The plot jumps time frames a bit and can be hard to follow if you’re not paying enough attention, but if you are keeping up you’ll be having a marvelous time.