On # List of Movie Reviews
(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)
2 Days in the Valley (1996)
Rate:
6
Viewed:
1/21
1/21:
A cross between Snatch
and Short Cuts, 2 Days in the Valley
may look terrible at times, but the performances shine throughout.
It helps a lot to have a big-name cast; otherwise, the movie won't have worked. Clearly, it's James Spader who's so good
that he can do no wrong. Hence, he's fun to watch. Of the cast besides the obvious two in cameo roles, newcomer
Charlize Theron went on to be the lone Oscar winner which is hard to believe. According to IMDb:
"In 1995, Charlize Theron was newly arrived in Hollywood after stints as a model and a dancer, living in a fleabag motel, and
running out of money. Her mother had sent the 20-year-old Theron a check from South Africa, but when she went to the bank to
cash it, they refused her. Fed up, Theron threw what has been repeatedly called 'a tantrum.' That argument, coupled with her
beauty, caught the eye of an agent, who promptly handed over his business card. Fast-forward a few months later, and Theron, in
white lingerie, towered over Los Angeles in billboards for 2 Days in the Valley."
The next one who walks a fine line between corny and charming is Danny Aiello. His rapport with Glenne Headley is
cute, making him a likeable character for a hitman. Compared to Danny Aiello, Greg Cruttwell is a disaster; he shouldn't have
been in the film, causing a loss of many points in my rating. Unsurprisingly, Greg never acted again after one more try.
If I'm most piqued by anyone, it's Jeff Daniels whom I didn't recognize most of the time. This is different for him. It's a
strong performance, regardless. The inclusion of Paul Mazursky is interesting because he's actually a writer-director who's
well known for Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, Harry and Tonto, An Unmarried Woman, and
Enemies, A Love Story.
All in all, cutting out Greg Cruttwell will do 2 Days in the Valley many favors, but it's an entertaining movie
nonetheless.