|
It has been a long time since I have watched the movie "Face/Off," but what I did remember about it is that I really enjoyed it. So, I thought I would watch it again. I was not disappointed (although the premise does seem kind of silly), in fact I was pleasantly surprised. In this movie Castor Troy (played by Nicholas Cage) and Sean Archer (played by John Travolta), get their faces switched. Not such a big deal except that Castor Troy is a convicted terrorist and Sean Archer is the agent after him. I was amazed by this film. While it is not necessarily an Academy Award nominee, it is a really great movie to enjoy on a Friday night when all you want to do is sit on the coach and watch a movie. The action is off the charts and the acting is absolutely stupendous.
Why this movie works is because of the acting. If the actors were terrible or even okay this movie would not sell. After all, the plot is really hard to believe and without the actors selling it right, you could have a stinker on your hands. Nicholas Cage as "Castor Troy" plays two different parts. He plays "Castor Troy," an absolutely sexually perverted and obnoxious terrorist with an ease that only Nicholas Cage could play. Here's the best part….he plays "Sean Archer" too (when their faces get switched, even I'm confused). His vulnerable morality plays just as much as his other role. In the scene where "Sean Archer" has put on the face of "Castor Troy" for the first time, he approaches the mirror and sees the man who killed his son and the emotional intensity of that scene really had me. As far as performance value goes, you can definitely say John Travolta was just as good. John Travolta (just like Nicholas Cage) plays "Sean Archer" and "Castor Troy." John Travolta primarily plays "Sean Archer," the agent who has a vendetta against "Castor Troy," with the kindness and ease that we know him to be able to play. Then he turns around and does a great job playing "Castor Troy" with a sarcastic wit that matches Nicholas Cage's own. That is another thing…each actor seemed to be able to mirror some of the other actor's physical traits and gestures, so that their performances are even more believable. It has to be noted that Joan Allen did a great job playing "Dr. Eve Archer" (the wife of before said Sean Archer). Her emotional complexity also helped sell the whole plotline, because she offered to outsider's emotions and opinions
Technically, the movie was fun. I don't think there is a lot to say about something specific that was really that great. Obviously the stunt coordinator did a really good job. All the action sequences were exciting to watch ( I really enjoyed the scene in which Nicholas Cage is breaking out of prison). It was all quite thrilling. As we know though, if there is good intensity in a film then good editing isn't far behind. The timing was great for a lot of the sequences, although some of the camera moves were a little dramatic for me personally, but other than that they really sold. Another thing to mention is that scene where they have their faces removed and put back on each other. There was an incredible combination of make-up and graphics in that scene. Those prosthetic masks were very realistic and the graphics to put them on was actually beyond my imagining. I honestly don't know how they did it.
The movie in itself is more about valuing who you are (if you want to get in the whole subconscious matter of the film). "Sean Archer" didn't know what he had before it had gone. He was so upset about his dead son that he didn't have a chance to truly appreciate his wife and daughter. Of course when he switches faces he realized what he missed as he is sitting in his jail cell and then the consequences of his actions are upon him. Even "Castor Troy" misses what his life has to offer. This movie could be a movie about the lack of identity. A lot of times we don't know who or what we really are. Just switching faces adds to the confusion of the whole thing. Are we good or bad? The fact is we are neither and it takes a lifetime to figure it out. Then there is the primary theme of good versus evil, which was played very well. You are always rooting for "Sean Archer" to overcome the evil wiles of "Castor Troy." It is a huge love and hate relationship between both of them, simply because there is something that each of them likes about each other.
While "Face/Off'' is not necessarily a film to stimulate your mind, it is definitely a film to stimulate emotions. You really feel for the characters in all their emotional complexity. If you can suspend your belief of the plotline, I think you will really enjoy it. All the plot turns and scenarios, are surprisingly challenging and interesting. In other words, if you want to sit down and enjoy some good acting and a silly plotline, then sit right down. Oh, and try not grimace during the face change scene….they can't help it if they have no skin on their faces.
|
