★ 4 / 10
Gene Hackman infamously took the lead role in
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Gene Hackman infamously took the lead role in this leaden political thriller for the paycheck, turning down such unseen arthouse fare as "Jaws," "One Flew Over…
Gene Hackman infamously took the lead role in this leaden political thriller for the paycheck, turning down such unseen arthouse fare as "Jaws," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and "Apocalypse Now."
Hackman is Tucker, a Vietnam veteran serving time in San Quentin with his cellmate and buddy Spiventa (Mickey Rooney, gunning for a Supporting Actor Oscar nod that he did not get). Tucker is approached by the mysterious Tagge (Richard Widmark), who offers to spring Tucker out of jail if he will simply follow a few orders, and eventually kill a man in cold blood. Tucker's first concern is for his wife Ellie (Candice Bergen, who pops up halfway through the film in an atrocious wig). Tucker gets involved in what would today be described as "the deep state," who always seem to be a step ahead of him in order to get him to do their bidding. Of course, as with any mediocre political thriller, Tucker doesn't play by their rules.
While Hackman is one of my favorite actors, this film is not up to par. The name cast is fine, look for Eli Wallach, Edward Albert, Jay Novello, and Majel Barrett in support, but Adam Kennedy's story is dull. Based on his novel, the film makers try to get us to care about Tucker and Ellie's original crime that got the both of them locked up. The screenplay can't generate any suspense or paranoia, instead we get endless scenes of Hackman wandering around and looking over his shoulder a lot. The viewer is kept in the dark as much as Tucker is, so once Tucker receives his "assignment," I really didn't care. There's a twist about the assassination that completely invalidates the film's plot, rendering the hour and forty minutes a waste of time. Director Stanley Kramer has done some classic films, but he stumbles here; what should have been some glorious action set pieces are mishandled.
"The Domino Principle" tries to squeeze itself into a crowded genre that included "The Parallax View," "The Eiger Sanction," "The Odessa File," and other similarly titled films. Too bad the film makers seem as interested in the proceedings as we are. (* *) out of five stars.
Rated (R), and contains physical violence, gun violence, some gore, profanity, some sexual references, alcohol and tobacco use
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★ 7 / 10
Despite Gene Hackman hating it, I enjoyed the movie.
planktonrules
"The Domino Principle" is an unusual film since the leading man apparently hated it and found the plot confusing...and he let reporters know he felt this way.…
"The Domino Principle" is an unusual film since the leading man apparently hated it and found the plot confusing...and he let reporters know he felt this way. Well, although I agree that there are a few portions which are a tad confusing, I enjoyed the movie very much...even if it left many questions unanswered when the story concluded.Tucker (Gene Hackman) is a guy who's been in prison for some time...and he has at least another 15 years to go on his sentence for murder. One day, a stranger comes to the prison to meet him and offer Tucker a deal. If Tucker would agree to do 'something' for them, this group of people would arrange for his escape. While the something isn't 100% clear, you know it involves him killing someone. As the story progresses, he learns that whoever is behind it wants no loose ends...and soon some of his contacts with this organization begin to die...and he wonders who is next.This is a very paranoid style film...like other contemporary pictures like "The Parallax View" and "Three Days of the Condor". Some may find the movies too bleak (especially since some of them end in a very fashion)....but I found the story interesting and didn't mind all the vagueness of the plot. Overall, a very interesting film...not perfect but clearly much better than Hackman thought at the time he made it.
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★ 5 / 10
Bad Decisions
wednesdaynightchurch
I actually did enjoy this movie and the premise, Richard Widmark and Eli Wallach were very good. The main problem with this movie is Gene Hackmans character…
I actually did enjoy this movie and the premise, Richard Widmark and Eli Wallach were very good. The main problem with this movie is Gene Hackmans character and performance. Don't get me wrong. Gene Hackman is a terrific actor but even he said his performance was not good, to me he seemed bored. But the main issue was his character kept making choices that just made me facepalm and that were so obviously bad which is pretty bad writing. Which was pretty aggravating because all in all it was a very decent film to pass the time, not spectacular but passable. Mickey Rooney also did a terrific job in this film I loved his role. Decent film as long as you go into it knowing it's flawed.
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