LUIS MANDOKI

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBB.5

USA, 2001.  Franchise Pictures, Epsilon Motion Pictures, The Canton Company, Angel Eyes Productions, AE Two Film Productions, Morgan Creek Entertainment.  Screenplay by Gerald Di Pego.  Cinematography by Piotr Sobocinski.  Produced by Bruce Berman, Mark Canton, Elie Samaha.  Music by Marco Beltrami.  Production Design by Dean Tavoularis.  Costume Design by Marie-Sylvie Deveau.  Film Editing by Gerald B. Greenberg.  

Syrupy, mellow drama from director Luis Mandoki that is sometimes flat but, thanks to a fair share of lovely moments and excellent performances by its two leads, is never worth abandoning. Jennifer Lopez is riveting as a Chicago cop who is still hurting over the many conflicts she has had since childhood with her abusive father and passive mother. One night on the job she is saved from death by a mysterious drifter (Jim Caviezel) who seems just as heartbroken over something, but he won’t say what. The experience of the film is that these two people heal each other simply by becoming each other’s friends, and Mandoki’s sense of atmosphere gives much to the film.  Better films have been made along this theme, from Passion Fish to As Good As It Gets, but anyone who likes a slow but steady drama about people revealing themselves to one another will definitely want to take a look at this worthwhile romance. Also listen for a fantastic jazzy score highlighted by a trumpet performance of the classy “Nature Boy” (also used the same year in Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge)