all the men are pathetic and ridiculous and the lesbians run away together. also they're both unapologetically horny. seemed pretty fun to me!
Both the glorification and mocking of noir cinema, as some kind of tightrope walking experience along the dividing line between stylishness and pulpy bad taste. The plot is as generic as it gets, but the film was shot and staged in such a gripping way that I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The second half, in particular, is littered with memorable moments and directorial exuberance. Sometimes it feels like the Wachowskis are trying a bit too hard to impress their audience on their first work, but seriously, how can it be a problem in this kind of movies?
It was good. Could have been a lot shorter.
Gets better in the 2nd half, and the plot is straight to the point. Really fun movie.
'Bound' is a fun one!
I've always wanted to get this watched since growing up with (the great) Jennifer Tilly via the 'Chucky' franchise and having heard this mentioned on/off down the years, so I'm glad that I have belatedly done so. It's entertaining! I knew of the love stuff and it sure does deliver, though I am surprised it only really happens at the beginning... it makes sense, I just assumed it was gonna be recurring throughout.
Tilly and Gina Gershon are excellent together, very strong onscreen chemistry! Like with what I previously mentioned, I was also slightly surprised that Gershon disappears for what felt like a decent chunk of the movie; despite being literally next door. Again, works for the story but would've expected her to be there all the way. Joe Pantoliano stars behind them, ahead of a solid supporting cast.
One to watch, which is interestingly The Wachowskis' directorial debut.
This already has most of the Wachowski staples in place: the noir influence, the dramatic visuals, a theme of people breaking out of their confinements, the one-note acting; it’s all here already. It takes a while to get going, as the first act is mostly filled with Tilly’s annoying whisper talk and Gershon playing a Michelle Rodriguez character. I wasn’t exactly intrigued, because there’s very little to these women. Sure, the steamy, lesbian angle makes it unique, but besides that they’re mostly uninteresting characters. I’d argue that a good filmmaker shouldn’t need 40 minutes to make us care about a simple relationship. However, once the actual plot kicks in, the movie instantly finds a great pace and becomes very entertaining. Pantoliano gives a great performance here, and the movie works because of his performance and the filmmaking. The music, editing and camerawork are all at a level that you don’t see often, it truly is a great exercise in building tension within a confined environment. The ending is very satisfying (albeit predictable), and I ended up liking the overall movie quite a bit, but it could’ve been great if the first act did a better job at engaging me emotionally.
6.5/10
My favorite film.
Stunning sex scenes, Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly's acting ability and beauty, and the incendiary mood (which lasts forever).
Even the last scene is a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat and sweating your hands, and I get excited no matter how many times I watch it.
Although easier to follow than "The Matrix," the story and direction are rather more outstanding in "Bound".
Good thriller from the Wachowskis
Dark and sexy but a good time.
Sparks fly when a pair of new neighbors fall into a lesbian love affair and scheme to lift a six-figure sum from an unwitting mafia goon. Written and directed by the Wachowskis, rumor has it that this film gave them enough cred with the studios to turn around and produce The Matrix a few years later. I can see that potential at times, though it's still very rough around the edges.
The first act is a real bore, borderline softcore porno that I very nearly shut off and wrote off, but the plot really comes to life at about the forty-minute mark and swiftly ramps up into a rousing, unpredictable little dose of dark suspense.
Sadly, no amount of nifty writing and unexpected twists can compensate for Jennifer Tilly's acting. She's Anna Nicole-Smith levels of bad, trying to seem sultry, deep and smart but really just coming across as drug-whipped and out of her depth. Apart from an inspired effort from Joe Pantoliano as the short-fuse mafia fall-guy at the center of it all, though, that's pretty much par for the course. Low-budget but high-intensity, it's always just this close to hitting its mark.
Very good. Nice plot, good tension, Joe Pantoliano does a good turn, Jennifer Tilly is excellent, and Gina Gershon is totally believable.
It's got enough twists to keep you guessing and happy that it's not formulaic. The style of film noir or neo-noir was very welcomed as I am a fan of that feel. It reminded me a little of the directing on Payback which came out a couple of years after it but took the grey look to its noir feel.
This is one of those movies that doesn't need a big budget. Done well, it shows no signs of that lack of budget, and it's a testimony to the Wachowskis that they debuted with this.
8/10
Shout by amberravBlockedParent2022-06-20T19:16:23Z
Men getting what they deserve, and a happy ending for the lesbians? Couldn't ask for more.