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The January Man (1989)
Ex-cop Nick Starkey is reinstated on the force to help track down a serial killer who is murdering one woman every month. While trying solve this, Starkey must deal with his police commissioner brother who fired him, his ex-girlfriend who married his brother and his growing relationship with the Mayor's daughter.
"The January Man is an edge-of-your-seat suspense ride that'll prey on your thoughts, as well as your fears". No, it's not. I was excited to watch this, as I'm a bit of a fan of '80's suspense thrillers. With that kind of statement on the back of the damn DVD, how could I not be excited to watch it?
Well, first of all, it's not a thriller at all. There's absolutely no suspense whatsoever, and it's played like a comedy. Long before this film was over, I was so disappointed with everything about this film. The execution, the performances, the writing, everything. I'd go as far to say it's one of the most disappointing filmic experiences of my life. It's at least up there with Juno.
The best and worst thing about it is the fact that the few comedic scenes that score are the parts that engaged me the most. I don't usually mind a bit of humor sprinkled throughout the serious tone. But there was no serious tone achieved here. The scenes where it's tried are laughable.
But what I'm most angry about is that it shows promise. It could've been good. It has Alan Rickman, for Pete's sake, a man who can make any movie good. But like everything else about The January Man, his performance falls flat. Undeveloped, maddening trash.
+
Ex-cop Nick Starkey is reinstated on the force to help track down a serial killer who is murdering one woman every month. While trying solve this, Starkey must deal with his police commissioner brother who fired him, his ex-girlfriend who married his brother and his growing relationship with the Mayor's daughter.
"The January Man is an edge-of-your-seat suspense ride that'll prey on your thoughts, as well as your fears". No, it's not. I was excited to watch this, as I'm a bit of a fan of '80's suspense thrillers. With that kind of statement on the back of the damn DVD, how could I not be excited to watch it?
Well, first of all, it's not a thriller at all. There's absolutely no suspense whatsoever, and it's played like a comedy. Long before this film was over, I was so disappointed with everything about this film. The execution, the performances, the writing, everything. I'd go as far to say it's one of the most disappointing filmic experiences of my life. It's at least up there with Juno.
The best and worst thing about it is the fact that the few comedic scenes that score are the parts that engaged me the most. I don't usually mind a bit of humor sprinkled throughout the serious tone. But there was no serious tone achieved here. The scenes where it's tried are laughable.
But what I'm most angry about is that it shows promise. It could've been good. It has Alan Rickman, for Pete's sake, a man who can make any movie good. But like everything else about The January Man, his performance falls flat. Undeveloped, maddening trash.
+