Phoenix (1998)

The Worst Film Ever

How sad is this?

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Absolutely Brilliant!

I don't understand what the hype is all about. This film had great potential but it rapidly fell apart near the ending. 4 corrupt cops, gambling addict, cheating behind backs, and stealing cash from the bad guys. Ray Liota can't live without his lucky lighter, somehow loses it and yes, of course, his luck quickly runs dry. Daniel Baldwin is the other problem. His acting was horrendous causing it be one of the main causes why this film failed in the short run. This could have been a great hit but it was summarized by 4 goof-ball cops that can't seem to hold it without making stupid mistakes. The plot of the story was very predictable.

This was one of my (very) lucky dips into the supermarket bran-tub. It was just 50p. But it starred Ray Liotta and Angelica Huston, so it had to be worth a punt. I had never heard of it before.Big surprise. Liotta plays a detective on the skids. He's basically a decent character who is fatally flawed by the vice of gambling. We follow his life as - by turns - it deteriorates into a chaos driven by mounting debt. He has cop colleagues who are even less reliable than himself. Collectively, they present a bitterly amoral face of modern-day policing in Phoenix. This is not a feel-good movie.In crisis, he recruits 3 confidantes to rob a familiar hood, in order to pay off his debts and something to spare. It turns into slaughter. Their senior officer becomes aware of their behaviour but as well as reporting it, decides to cut a slice of the action for himself in a brutal business of corruption, double-cross and murder. There is no happy-ending.The dour characters are set against often gloomy weather and nocturnal activity, enhancing the movie's down-beat texture. Even in the desert sun they are often cast into dark relief by the harsh light.Script is suitably cynical and well-chosen. All the players fit their characters well. Anthony Lapaglia, Daniel Baldwin, Jeremy Piven et al, give excellent returns. There's no bad egg in the carton. Lighting, sound and editing are all up to the job. Four men walking abreast to a common destiny is a very old theme in cinema. We've seen it in 'Gunfight at the OK Corral', 'The Wild Bunch', 'Resevoir Dogs', and probably others.This movie lacks that touch of comic irony that lights up even the grimmest of Tarantino movies, rendering - I think - a greater sense of realism. It's dark and uncompromising; it especially reminds me of 'The Grifters', which also starred Ms Huston. I can't say better than that.This movie is definitely a collectors' item. Highly recommended.

"Phoenix" is a hidden gem. I've seen it over five times. For some reason, it never gets old.Harry (Liotta) is a cop with a gambling problem. He can't stop. He owes money to "Chicago" (Tom Noonan) and he if he doesn't pay up, he dies. Harry's partners Henshaw (LaPaglia) and Nutter (Baldwin) are dirty and are becoming "collectors" to bookie Louie (Giancarlo Esposito). Harry needs money fast and the only way is to rob Louie. Everybody goes along with the plan until there's a double cross.There's not a lot of action in the movie until the end, but it's not needed. Ray Liotta is excellent in the movie. But the supporting cast steals it from him. LaPaglia is fantastic as Henshaw. He makes the character come alive. Baldwin, Esposito, Kari Wuhrer, and Anjelica Huston all get their time to shine."Phoenix" is a gritty crime movie that Liotta and LaPaglia fans must see.For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com

I never heard of this movie before and caught it by chance late at night on cable TV. I, like everyone else is writing in his comments, was surprised at how well the characters were developed and how exciting the whole movie was. Of course it had some minor flaws, but overall the plot was gripping and the acting was top notch. If you have the chance to grab it on DVD, do not miss this one out. It is way better than the more infamous and similar "Copland" and, besides "Goodfellas", is one of Ray Liotta's best. Don't let the rating fool you, if it had been advertised better, it probably would have an overall rating of 7.5/10.