Starring Jeff Bridges, Rosanna Arquette and Andy Garcia, 8 Million Ways To Die directed by Hal Ashby is now released for the first time on DVD.
This was the last film directed by Hal Ashby famous for the classic films ”Harold and Maude”, ”Coming Home” and “Being There”.
This movie however in not in their class.
That said, it has Jeff Bridges in impressive form as alcoholic ex cop who gets caught up in a web of deceit and murder.
The film pulls no punches about the scourge of alcoholism and the horrors of drying out.
Bridges makes you squirm with his pain.
Andy Garcia appears in his first starring role as the drug lord who pulls all the strings in early eighties L A.
There is a touch of Al Pacino in ‘Scarface’ mode about Garcia’s swagger and high octane performance.
Rosanna Arguette is very effective in playing the character that links up all the characters.
The film takes us into the twilight world of sunny Los Angeles, with atmospheric shots of its endless freeways and urban horizon.
The film has a thirties feel which would have benefited from being in black and white.
The movie has great curiosity value for the top notch talent involved, not least with Oliver Stone’s credit as its screenwriter.
If you’re not suited with Christmas TV viewing then this could be a great stocking filler.
A worthwhile evening’s entertainment and well worth a look.
8 Million Ways To Die (DVD) Second Sight/Creative Films