Suicide Kings (1999)
Director: Peter O’Fallon
Writers: Josh McKinney, Gina Goldman, Wayne Allan Rice, and Don Stanford
Cast: Christopher Walken…Carlo Bartolucci
Denis Leary…Lono Veccio
Nina Siemaszko…Jennifer
Henry Thomas…Avery Chasten
Sean Patrick Flanery…Max Minot
Johnny Galecki…Ira Reder
Jeremy Sisto…T.K.
Suicide Kings is an overall competent film that provides a good mixer of dark comedy and suspense. The plot line of the film follows a group of friends who came up with the bright idea of kidnapping a retired mob boss in order to use his connections and money to find the kidnapped sister of one of their films. This half brained scheme slowly unravels as Carlo (Walken) comes to the realization that one of the friends is an inside player in the kidnapping. Throughout the course of the film the audience is given several clues and misdirections that truly keeps one guessing all the way throughout the film. Secrets on top of secrets slowly come to light in this thoroughly enjoyable crime/comedy movie.
The best aspect of the film was its story telling. Sometimes when a film as several main characters the audience is not given much time to form any emotional attachment to any one person. However, through the clever use of flash backs and rather believable dialogue between college age friends we are given enough back story to each kidnapper. The film plays on the stereotypical clichés of course from the straight-laced student, hopeful romantic, and control freak gambler yet the film doesn’t feel bloated with characters. Christopher Walken give the best performance by far as he slowly becomes a helps hostage to master puppeteer that would make Don Corleone proud. Christopher Walken though seated tapped to a chair for much of the film displays excellent use of facial expressions to show his keen mind at work.
The weakest part of the film was the attempts by the film makers to inject unnecessary comedy in the sub plot of the film. The sub plot of the film follows Carlo’s associates as they try to look for the missing young woman and their boss. These scenes accumulate to two unfunny “made guys” going to different locations with no set up and obtaining information within a few seconds of entering. I never got the air of intimidation or cunning from these individuals. On a comedic perspective they were unable to make me laugh or chuckles as most of their “funny” dialogue amounted to a drawn out conversation about the price of sting ray boots. These cuts away from our main characters made the movie feel too long as I wanted to go back to Christopher Walken and his kidnappers.
Overall I would recommend this film to everyone over 18+ as this film is rated R. This films offers a good combination of dark comedy while reminding viewers that the consequences for an ill-advised plan are very real. I want to wish those taking the time to read this review a Happy New Year and I hope all of you have a wonderful, safe, and successful 2018.
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