On M List of Movie Reviews

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Miami Blues (1990)

Rate: 8
Viewed: 5/08, 11/21

MiamiBlues
5/08: Miami Blues is a weird, upbeat, and quirky cult film that works well during the first half and then falters the rest of the way.

I'm disappointed about how the momentum that Alec Baldwin had built up dissipated. He's marvelous as the psychopath. Jason Jennifer Leigh is also wonderful as his despondent and dimwitted yet loyal girlfriend.

When I think of their relationship, I think of the stories of how murderous couples get together because the boyfriend is the aggressor while his girlfriend is fascinated by him. That's why the ending line "He had good qualities..." is a perfect touch although Susie didn't experience the other side of him because she never saw it happen.

Having Fred Ward on board hurts the picture a lot. He isn't right for the material, making me prefer somebody who's more serious. Plus, Fred Ward isn't the star of the movie; Alec Baldwin is.

All in all, Alec Baldwin is the best thing about Miami Blues.

11/21: Here's an underrated Alec Baldwin movie that's much along the lines of À bout de souffle: Miami Blues.

However much it tries to focus on Fred Ward, who cares about him? He isn't the star; Alec Baldwin is. Jennifer Jason Leigh simply got sucked into his charisma. Miami Blues is a great movie about a con man who's also a psychopath. No matter what, he's likeable.

The most interesting moment is Junior getting shot during the random convenience store robbery. It's when he stopped being invincible and started becoming vulnerable, putting an end to the escape of his illegal behavior for so long. The best part is when Alec Baldwin was on the bed while making a mockery of Al Pacino's voice from Scarface.

All in all, Alec Baldwin's performance is the number one reason why Miami Blues works.