Year of release
1992
Directed by
Phil Alden Robinson
Written by
Phil Alden Robinson
Lawrence Lasker
Walter F. Parkes
Starring
Robert Redford
Sidney Poitier
Ben Kingsley
David Strathairn
Dan Aykroyd
River Phoenix
Sneakers
While it occasionally hints that it may be heading into a darker, more paranoia-fuelled world,
Sneakers is a film that remains firmly in low-key, light-hearted territory. It's light on action sequences and quite sedately paced on occasion; yet it remains a fun, clever and suspenseful diversion. Much of that is thanks to its witty and playful script that packs a scheming, twisty narrative, an assembly of quirky characters and some sharp-witted dialogue. It has a series of enjoyable interactions and dialogue exchanges between its characters, with the relationship between Sidney Poitier's ex-CIA officer and Dan Aykroyd's conspiracy-spouting nut being the stand-out.
What really lifts the material however is its cast. I mean really, look at that cast. To start with you've got three absolute heavyweights in the form of Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier and Ben Kingsley. Between them they have 7 Oscar nominations and two honorary oscars (Kingsley the only one missing from completing the set); these guys are acting legends. And then beyond that you have the not inconsiderable talents of River Phoenix, Dan Aykroyd and Mary McDonnell (with two Oscar nominations of her own), and some brief appearances from the likes of James Earl Jones and Stephen Tobolowsky. It's certainly a star-studded cast. Although on more than one occasion it's actually David Strathairn's blind soundman, Irwin 'Whistler' Emery, who threatens to steal the film out from under all those big names. However in general everyone brings the goods. With such a large cast to cater for, screentime really is at a premium. However just about everyone is given at least something to do and their own little character traits and quirks that allow them to stand out.
With Redford leading the cast, the film feels like a continuation of the conspiracy-led thrillers that he made his name with back in the 70s, now given a contemporary twist (well back in 1992 anyway). As such it comes off like
Three Days of the Condor by the way of
Hackers. In fact there are even a couple of
Condor references thrown in for good measure. One thing that I liked about the film is that unlike most caper films it's doesn't strive to be overly slick or stylish, instead focusing more on the characters and dialogue. Oh and I really loved Sneakers' sign-off scene at its conclusion. It sees the group negotiating with James Earl Jones' NSA agent over the 'black box' (the film's MacGuffin), with the requests becoming ever more ridiculous and Jones becoming ever more incredulous.
I don't see
Sneakers ever threatening my list of favourite films, or many people's lists for that matter. It's perhaps a little too lightweight and unsubstantial for that. However it's such an easy watch I'd imagine it's the kind of film I could watch a number of times on wet afternoons or on lazy Sundays, so much so that it could win a bit of a place in my heart.