Tempo (2003)

Too much of everything

Simply Perfect

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Although the title of the film is somewhat reminiscent of the crime and romance film 'Speed', and the film starts with a car chase, and the viewer is constantly being reminded of the fast pace of life in the French capital, the unfolding of the story is much more reminiscent of 'À bout de souffle', especially as it is set in the same city. 'Tempo' does not achieve the brilliance of that French film, but it does not attempt to copy it. It sets a love triangle as the focal point of the story, and adds in some more criminal characters to enhance the difficulties that they main characters find themselves in.After a cursory introduction to the three main characters in the car chase scene, the storytelling returns to eight days previously in order to relate the tale in its proper chronological sequence. The viewer is then introduced properly to Sarah, an insecure woman who is to a surprising degree likable despite her flaws, and Jack, who seems far too young for the relationship, but we learn more about the complexities as the film progresses. Melanie Griffith's portrayal of Sarah with her vulnerability and her positive attitude is the highlight of the film, but Hugh Dancy manages to make Jack's character very believable even with his increasing indecisiveness.When Jack meets Jenny, they seem to fit together better, but Jack's love for Sarah lingers on. Jenny, played by Rachael Leigh Cook, is an intelligent young woman on her own in a far-off land, and falls in love as many young women in such a situation are wont to do. This mixture of intelligence and naivety is very similar to Jean Seberg's character in 'À bout de souffle', but Jenny is a far more down-to-earth person. Furthermore, Jack is an unassuming character, quite unlike Jean-Paul Belmondo's character in that film. The result is a sweet romance with the background of crime and another woman.The fast traffic graphics which appeared now and then during the film were an unnecessary distraction. The photography was not the best feature, either.The ending was surprising, dramatic and logical – everything that you could wish, in fact.The film combines a love story and a crime story much better than many more highly rated films.

First of all, I would like to agree with certain individual's thoughts that the roles were not fully fleshed because there is no question that this is applicable in this instance however, despite the fact that we were not given the reasons why the truly dazzling creature Jack had chosen to squander his talents by getting wrapped up in the dangerous business of art theft, there were certainly things that worked in this film. First of all, though not completely credible, it was passionately entertaining and engaging and at the same time that you found yourself despising these characters, you found yourself adoring them almost in the same breath. Well to be honest, I cannot honestly say that there was anything to loathe about any of the main characters and even the elderly lady, was a figure who evoked empathy. There is no question that this film sizzles with sensuality, which I would honestly have to admit is a larger part of its charm and Dancy is truly included in that interpretation, il est tres beau, qui? First of all, this is shot almost entirely on location and that in itself defies description as Paris is nothing if not dazzlingly scenic. Apparently a number of the exteriors were shot on location in Germany as someone indicated spotting (great eye!) street signs in German throughout the film, still it does not detract from the visual appeal and the rustic shots that we received when Jack whisked Jenny the lovelorn ditsy mademoiselle away to the French countryside, positive perfection and left me longing for a picnic in Provence. So yes, despite the fact that character and script development are not topnotch here, this film works in the respect that it allows you to escape if only for an hour to an exotic place where the scenery is fairytale perfect. Do I actually believe that a man like Jack could desire a woman like Sarah and do I think that he would choose her over the more than a tad ridiculously irresponsible college girl Jenny? I do not think there is any question that Jack would not want to stay loyal to someone who seemed to care so intensely for him and my greatest problem with that not excluding this guy's inability to control his libido when Sarah left town on her illicit mission, was the fact that he allowed himself to be seduced by some chickadee he had not even known for a week! It is true that Dancy's character Jack is appealing both physically and emotionally, as he seemed incredibly well mannered and sensitive for the most part. So yes, his charm is certainly of the effervescent variety, irresistibly intoxicating however, Jenny only seemed interested in Jack's lovemaking abilities, where were the girl's morals I wondered? It is true that Jack didn't fight her off but I truly believe that the reasons why he pursued Jenny and allowed her to seduce him in one single night, was more of a knee jerk reaction to the fact that he believed Sarah, the woman who owned his heart was cheating on him with a man in Majorca. Let us face it, some people definitely operate on a revenge type basis and whenever someone hurts them in anyway, they are going to make certain that they find a way to get back at that person in whatever way possible. I do believe that Jack was at once remorseful for his actions as it was revealed in the end when he chose Sarah over Jenny. I think Jenny's "love" for Jack was more the first blush of infatuation and from the actions that this girl resorted to in her blind pursuit of Jack, who she pounced every chance she had, reality was never a part of the equation. Before I call this a wrap, let me just say that I think that despite the age difference that exists between Griffith and Dancy, they sizzle like prawns on a grill and definitely bring the heat better than the other pairing. I did not see scorch factor between Jenny and Jack perhaps because it seemed so contrived, like the girl could not resist the man or something! It was a sensationally pivotal moment when Sarah told Jack that he wasn't on a leash or anything. Perhaps, that allowed Jack to see what a mistake he had made in sleeping with some stranger he had only just met. From the tender way Jack was with Sarah before her departure, it looked a lot like love and not a tad like gratitude, which is what I feared at first, for typically when you have the younger man, older woman dynamic, writers tend to paint it as if it's a pact between two individuals who are only together out of desperation. In this film however, it seemed to be about two people who were entirely besotted with each other and I actually would say that the pairing of Jack and Jenny was one of hopelessness, not the other way around and that in my opinion, gave this film its distinctive edge. I think it is about time that people realize that human beings can truly be beautiful at any age, and besides, in the end isn't beauty a totally subjective thing and almost always a matter of the eye of the beholder, n'est pas?All in all, I would rate this film a C+ for character development and an A- for storyline content, which is why I chose to rate it an 8, for although it is not the best grape in the bunch it is indisputably a far cry from being a Gala sporting bruises besides Dancy seems to have that gift of making anything palatable and in this film, there is no difference. Bon Appetite!

Since Rachael Leigh Cook is one of my favorite actresses, I couldn't resist to see her latest work. I know since Josie and The Pussycats that she mostly did direct-to-video movies and indies, and that was the opportunity to see her again in a European setting...This time, it's Paris. I was not very thrilled to see a déjà-vu subject of the love triangle, set on illegal antiques'smuggling business background, but with Rachael there, I might be in for a small treat...The result here is partly entertaining. Eric Styles uses the flashback to tell the story as it begins in a car chase in central Paris. Mostly a story about betrayal, survival and mostly choosing between love and reason.An antiques smuggler works for a rich mob dealer. She is sent for a contract in Germany in order to get paid and then refund a debt to another mob member. In the meanwhile, her boyfriend falls in love with a jewellers'boutique employee, Jenny. Unfortunately, when the lady smuggler comes back, she catches her lover in the act. However, her smuggling didn't do well and she must comes up with the money to reimburse the mob guy in order to save her life. For revenge, she intends to use her boyfriend's mistress naive nature for a night heist at the jewellery shop to refund her debt. Will it succeed ?Performances are okay: Rachael Leigh Cook (with an audacious caracter going beyond the simple kiss...), Hugh Dancy and Malcolm McDowell are doing good here but Mrs. Griffith lacks the charm she had many years ago with movies like Body Double and Working Girl. Too sad for such an actress who stills have some sexy assets at her 40s...The story's okay, and it's good fare compared to recent releases who are with big budget but with low quality.Watch it for fun, and gaze the streets of Paris with Ms.Cook !

At first look, Tempo has the appearance of a low budget European or Canadian film. While there are some stunning shots of Paris, the overall quality of the film and its special effects are less than average. However, if you can get past that, you discover a great performance by Melanie Griffith. Although you know that you are not suppose to like her character, Melanie's quality of vulnerability has you rooting for her character. Her whispery voice is put to work here in which every man alive just wants to protect her. Her co-star Hugh Dancy also does well in this film and is very believable, while Rachael Leigh Cook doesn't fair so well. I just didn't buy the chemistry between her and Dancy. Although Griffith is old enough to play Dancy's mother, she had much more chemistry with him.While the film will never win an Oscar, and may be predictable, it is a great renter. In fact, what surprises me is something like Tempo doesn't get a theatrical release, but on the other hand we have to put up with garbage like The Guru.