Movies-TV

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

Co-written and directed by director Roman Polanski, FRANTIC is a smart study of the anxieties of a man confronted with the disappearance of his wife in a foreign country. Harrison Ford is this man - a doctor - who has to cope with a language he doesn't speak and a nightmarish situation. Since the american embassy and the french police don't seem to want to help him, he will have to solve alone this puzzle.

FRANTIC will not be remembered as the highlight of Polanski's career but, for the director's fans, this movie is certainly a must-have and I'm glad to keep it in my library. Roman Polanski deserves a place of choice in the pantheon of the directors who have been interested in depicting the strangeness of Reality.

In 1988, when FRANTIC was theatrically released, french critics preferred to criticize the casting of Emmanuelle Seigner, Roman Polanski's bride, in the role of Michelle and forgot to appreciate the quality of the screenplay of this unusual thriller. Just count, if you're an Alfred Hitchcock fan, the numerous discreet homages to the Master hidden in the movie by the polish director.

Note that this review concerns the DVD zone 2 you can find at Amazon.fr in France. This DVD is slightly different from the one you can buy here. It offers a widescreen version of the movie while the DVD zone 1 presents only the standard pan & scan (beurk!) version of FRANTIC. Images and sound are of good quality. No extra-features but numerous different subtitles.

A DVD deserving to be rediscovered.

How far would you go to save a loved one before you break?

I always thought of Roman Polanski as the second incarnation of Alfred Hitchcock. Like Hitchcock, he has the uncanny ability to project flawless and edge-of-your-seat suspense from absolutely nothing. He is a man however that bases much of his films on personal trauma. He was born into the Holocaust in which his mother died. And later with his film career established, was a victim of his Wife's murder by the notorious 1970s cult criminal Charles Manson and his band of supporters. It is following his wife's bloody and traumatizing death that he turned to sadistic, paranoid and frantic style film making. Dark, gloomy, alienated and violent worlds compose his films which have their own recognizable look and feel Polanski is famous for. 'Frantic', I believe was Polanski's heart and soul and definitive film. The whole atmosphere the film ejects feels so personal in contrast with Polanski's real life experience.It begins with a sad European score composed by the great Ennio Morricone, in a time when it's supposed to be a happy business trip for Dr. Richard Walker and his wife Sondra who have also come to relax and explore Paris, the city they both shared on their honeymoon. They check into an expensive hotel in the early hours of the morning, eager to refresh and rest following a long, difficult flight. Everything seems at ease and subtle until Richard finds that the luggage they picked up at the airport isn't theirs. Proceeding a phone call to the airport regarding the error, Richard decides a shower is most appropriate to loosen him up. What follows is the most devastating experience he'll ever fall victim to. A phone call. Sondra picks up. Sondra says something, but is unheard due the thudding shower. Sondra leaves. A bell rings. "Sondra, can you get that honey?" Richard repeatedly yells. Coming out of the shower and opening the door, he is presented with breakfast and no sign of Sondra. Richard is then awoken a few hours after this in his bed and breakfast again with no sign of his wife. He is informed by a bellhop that his wife sent up a few different things from the lobby. Richard gets dressed and heads down to the lobby, informing staff Sondra has gone and it's unknown of her whereabouts. No messages. No letters. No phone calls. No sign of life. He then frantically heads outside. What follows is the most mentally exhausting search for his wife as he questions ordinary people, contacts bureaucratic French heads of security and police, clashes with American Embassy officials and finally finds the owner of the Luggage he picked up at the airport - a beautiful Parisian girl named Michelle who's involved with drugs and the underground with half the answers - leading him to uncover an international conspiracy. They both must elude stalkers, detectives, the police and the intelligence agencies in order to come closer to the truth behind his wife's disappearance.The suspense this film manages to emulate is so natural, because the situations are so real. Harrison Ford's portrayal of Richard Walker is a 'tour-de-force' and perhaps one the most realistic performances you'll ever see. The emotion and frustration he encompasses involves the audience to such a level, the audience themselves become as 'Frantic' as the name of the film implies. You empathize with him all the way through. You understand everything he is going through. The feeling of being in a foreign country, of being completely helpless, where absolutely nobody can help you - alienated. Harrison Ford's delivery is what makes him such a unique actor. In my opinion, he is one of few actors in the world we can relate to when watching his films. Seeing this film for the first time, I noticed parallels between Ford's character Richard and Roman Polanski. They have suffered very similar trauma. The longing for the loved one. The loss of his wife. The lengths at which he would go to save her life had he the chance. Clearly Polanski's real life experiences inspired him to make this masterpiece. His brilliant direction suggests he put his heart and soul into its creation. Emmanuelle Seigner, Polanski's late wife, portrays her Parisian girl role to perfection. She is so beautiful, and her presence adds a European authenticity to the film.The film's music is the most important in creating a sense of place. Ennio Morricone's suspenseful soundtrack accompanies the film with many poignant moments. However, it is Grace Jones' famous song 'Strange' that gives the film its indisputable authenticity in creating a genuine Parisian feel to the gloomy and frustrating atmosphere Polanski so vividly brings to the screen.'Frantic' is unfortunately one of the most forgotten works in Polanski's long film making career. Upon its release in theaters, the box-office wasn't kind and people quickly forgot about it. However it did find life on Video and Television. I hope more people will discover this true masterpiece which I personally believe to be Polanski's definitive work. No director in the world can so masterfully portray lonely, alienating worlds in which our complete sense of hope is erased. Unfortunately, his unique style and direction are influenced by personal trauma, but he has delivered some of the most influential psychological thrillers in the history of the art - even Alfred Hitchcock would have agreed.

Frantic!

Frantic is indeed a unique film. Harrison Ford stars in this picture. Its directed quite well by veteran director Roman Polanski. The two actresses that are in this movie Betty Buckley and Emmanuelle Seigner act very well. The film has other familiar faces as well. The music composed by veteran movie score composer Ennio Morricone is really good and matches this flick perfectly! Its a great score! The movie is filled with great dialog and acting from its actors in some very interesting scenes and the movie has a powerful first thirty minutes or so. The movie really takes a turn later on. This must be the most different type of film Harrison Ford has ever been in. If you love Harrison Ford then check out Frantic!

Thoughtful Suspense with Great Locales

I like Harrison Ford, and this movie directed by Roman Polanski is a good outing for him. It's an 80s movie filmed in Europe with a great French/American mixed cast. Ford seems a bit subdued in his role and this helps supporting characters stand out - most especially Emanuelle Seigner who gives the best performance in the movie. She plays a savvy French street girl in the Paris Underworld drug scene. We've seen Ford in better movies of this type before and after but never-mind. "Frantic"'s Paris setting, although dated, is stunning completely supporting a foreign environment especially important in the first 3rd of the movie which may be the strongest part of the movie which is evident in the thought and preparation into clues circumstance. The movie is more of a suspense and mystery rather than action, and it does a solid job of this. A few of the scenes/dialog are not too well thought out or believable but they're not enough to detract. Music is period specific 80s but interesting. Recommended 80s and Ford flick.

Underrated, brilliant masterpiece!

I really don't understand how this movie could have such a low score at this site. Perhaps the European atmosphere doesn't appeal as much to Americans as it does to Europeans.....just like most french top-films never made it to the US.Nevertheless, Roman Polanski is terribly underrated as a master of suspence. In fact, looking back at Hitchcock's movies (which is unfair, since they've been made in a completely different era) I don't think he ever made movies written this well.For some reason most of the time film making starts with putting the director together with some of the best or most popular actors of that period. But this one certainly doesn't.... It shows that Polanski wrote this himself, with his close friend and film-writing-partner, because he really knows what this story is about - he knows where to be funny, where to make it tense, where to make things kind of 'sensual'.The weird thing is, that looking at all the things that happen in this movie, it's still so relatively shot, and doesn't feel at all too paced, or rushed. No, it rather feels like you are watching a 4 hour movie.Anyway, those who have ever lost track of someone (for a short moment) in a strange, big city or those who have ever tried to find out something in France, will know and recognize exactly what Harrison Ford's character is going through - people not taking you seriously, people who don't care, people who refuse (or aren't able) to help you in your own language. All these things are put in this movie, so well, that -at least for me- it is really very realistic.Most writers and directors nowadays seem to ruin most great movies/thrillers by not being able to make a good ending to the developing story. At one point our main character has got to find out what is happening....and how to do that, without taking away the suspence is incredibly difficult. Roman Polanski has done this very well, by not making this story too complicated and slowly unraveling a -looking back- simple mistery. There is no need to glue parts of the story together to make it all fit, or just skip parts to make it easier for him/you.No, this is the first movie I've seen where when someone looses his shoes on a roof, he has to walk barefoot the next day. Most movies just ignore these little facts, but Roman makes it always difficult for himself in order to make it more easy (or, more easy to believe) for us.There are no things that make me wonder 'how this is possible' - no, if you are a well known surgeon, many other surgeons from all over the world will know you. And if you will go to a convention in Paris, it's not at all unrealistic that you will run into a few of your friends...even when it's such a big city. Having problems with luggage when you're flying, isn't unrealistic too...nor is the story of this movie, the reason why what happened, happened.Although I've never understood why our friend wanted his own wife back, instead of staying with the beautifull french girl ;) Again, that's what most people would do in real life....Bart

Good film

On the plus side - this is a fine film with another good performance from Harrison Ford (why doesn't he do more films like this nowadays?) There are touches of humour in this film in addition to the tension. Good performances all round.

There are 3 black marks against this DVD though.

1) No extra features - not even subtitles or alternative languages.

2) Poor transfer - the film is watchable but for a lot of the film the picture quality is poor.

3) The end titles slip into 1.85:1, proof that this is a widescreen film - making sense of the various scenes with half faces. I had always thought this was a full screen film so I was annoyed to find out otherwise.

why did I watch this movie?

I'm not sure I've ever seen another Roman Polanski movie, but I've sure heard his name plenty, so when I see that "Frantic" is coming up on cable, I get mildly interested. Harrison Ford in the lead? Hey, should be pretty good, right? Well, 2 hours later... all I can think is, Why was this movie made? It's like a "filler movie". Through the entire thing, I kept waiting for a reason for its production to present itself. I'm still waiting.

a near great thriller, sophisticated in its style with unnerving moments

I don't think Roman Polanski's 1988 film Frantic is one of his great works, and it does (and after reading the cuts the studio imposed it makes a little more sense) lack some of the great, horrific bits that underly his films from the 60's and 70's. But the good news for those thinking that it's just another Harrison Ford-saves-the-world vehicle may be pleasantly surprised. The studio aside, it is a Polanski film, and it does go against what would typically be a Hollywood film of this story. For one thing Polanski at the time was persona non Grata in America, filming in Paris, and there is a much more European feel to the film than any given American director would've given it. Here and there with some of the shots, the depth used as well as the length, reminded me slightly of Antonioni. But one of the things that Polanski does here, which he has done in films like Knife in the Water and Repulsion, is to make the atmosphere totally suiting the subject matter. We know things may work out alright for its hero, however the way to get there is really sordid and constraining on its lead character- it's tense by keeping patience, not by quick cutting. Ford and wife Betty Buckley arrive in Paris as he is attending some doctor's lecture. While in the shower she answers the phone for something, leaves, and never returns- kidnapped by (later found out) Arabs. This then sets into motion almost more of a general unfolding-of-a-situation than a real story. But Polanski, taking some cues here and there from Hitchcock and other film-noir pictures, does make this situation tense enough as its lead works his way through the dark underbelly of Paris. Individual scenes mark close to being some of the better ones Polanski's done. So, Ford's doctor character meets the woman (Emmanuel Siegner) whom suitcases got switched when he and his wife arrived at the airport, and (which was pretty fascinating to me) for her getting the money she's owed from the same kidnappers of his wife is just as important and a matter of principle. Their search leads them through crooked gangsters, dangerous, terrorist Arabs, and a certain device hidden in a statue (one almost wishes this wasn't revealed, but as a Maguffin it only matters as a point of wanting for the enemy). Through this Polanski uses his star to get a taut performance, where the only heroism comes in being provoked to the edge as the everyman Ford occasionally plays. If you're looking for Indiana Jones, this ain't it. Taking part in an Ennio Morricone score- albeit with a couple of meh songs- and great usage of Parisian settings, Polanski's film is competently directed, with some scenes that lose steam while others remain charged as hell. And it's got a very interesting first half.

Frantic in Rome / Soundtrack

Some years ago I was working in Rome and had agreed (?) with my wife to meet at Piazza Venezia after work. After waiting for her at the agreed point for some time and she did not turn up, a feeling of panic started creeping in and I started thinking what to do. Phone her up where we were staying (no cell phone), set Italian bureaucracy in motion by going to the police; both my wife and I are fluent in Italian and know our way about Rome but at the same time the panic and anxiety levels started creeping up being in a foreign city. Ultimately my wife showed up there being a misunderstanding about the time when we had to meet. How about Ennio Morricone's "anxious" sound track and Grace Jones' "Fandango ( I have seen that face before)" being a leit motif throughout the whole film. When I hear this song, I always remember the scene towards the end of the film with Harrison Ford at dawn on the bridge shivering with cold and Seigneur walking from the end of the bridge towards him.I have seen this film several times and yet each time Polanski manages to give me that feeling of seeing something never seen before.

One of Those Films You Can't Take Your Eyes Off Of.

"Frantic" is one of those strange over-achievers that ends up being an intensely entertaining experience. American doctor Harrison Ford is in France for a conference, but almost immediately his wife (Betty Buckley) disappears. The authorities are no help and it seems that the only that can help him is the highly erotic and mysterious Emmanuelle Seigner (in an appropriately hot performance). Together they go on a quest that involves some of the darkest underground forces in Paris. A really twisted film that works due to the chemistry generated by Ford and Seigner. Roman Polanski uses atmosphere to create a tone that is both electric and magnetic. 4 stars out of 5.

Very interesting.

Polanski has made a movie that is a pleasure to watch. The plot is very intriguing and the locations in Paris creates the right atmosphere. Harrison Ford is well casted but especially Emmanuelle Seigner is made for the role. All in all a very interesting movie.

No corpse stinks that much after only 12 hours

Roman Polanski (Bitter Moon, The Ninth Gate) gives us another suspense thriller set in Paris.Harrison Ford is in town with his wife on a second honeymoon and to give a speech at a medical conference. His wife disappears while he is in the shower.He starts a search and, despite the fact that he can't speak a word of Frence, makes good progress. He then runs into Emmanuelle Seigner, who was also in Bitter Moon and The Ninth Gate.They work together to solve the puzzle running all throughout Paris. Good story and good action, but it seems poor Harrison Ford has made a career out of saving his wives from terrorists.

Hampered by uneven direction, but featuring two fine performances...

After his wife is kidnapped from their Paris hotel room, a confused and distraught American doctor is plunged into European espionage. Rather mild suspense-thriller from director/co-writer Roman Polanski, who sets up the pieces to this chess match quite awkwardly. The opening moments with Harrison Ford and spouse Betty Buckley have little believability (they seem like brother and sister), but the pacing does pick up from there, despite the fact that Ford's doctor is seldom charismatic or likable and is mainly just a plot device (the worried husband). Newcomer Emmanuelle Seigner (later Mrs. Polanksi) is tantalizing as a young woman who gets involved, and her scenes with Ford give the picture some much-needed energy. ** from ****

An American in Paris?

It is surely no coincidence that the Walkers have made their honeymoon trip to Paris, the "city of love". Now Dr Walker and with him the viewer finds Paris a cold place, somewhere you'd rather not like to be. Whatever you may say about certain illogical sequences or turns, Polanski does a really good job creating an atmosphere of chilliness and loneliness. The grey colours, the almost total absence of "nice" characters, the score by Morricone which makes me think of the great 70s Belmondo films.I'm not quite sure whether Polanski wants to portrait Paris as he sees it (some comments refer to him having left the States for Paris) or just the "coolness" of the 80s. Maybe both. Polanski deliberately avoids showing famous sights which takes the loving air of Paris, but which also makes it look a bit like any other city (it's a pity that in the German version the French actors don't have any accent, maybe that would make it a bit mor "Parisian" for me). On the other side Walker is confronted with a time and therefore a world he doesn't seem to know. I love this scene with Ford and Seigner in the car: "What kind of music do you like?""Old music""Like this?""But that's not old""Of course, at least 3 or 4 years".`Another example is both of them in the nightclub dancing to the Grace Jones tune.The world around Walker has become more complex than he can bare (than he wants to bare, which may explain his sometimes stubborn or illogical behaviour). As he says, all he wants is to get his wife back. When I first watched this film, I didn't like that Polanski didn't seem to care much about all the agent stuff, who is on whose side, and what do they want(besides the statue), but now I think, this is what makes the film finally a very good one. It illustrates the character of Dr Walker, we see everything through his eyes, and so only the things he wants to see.Every time I watch this film again, it fascinates me a bit more.

What's the big deal?

I don't understand all of the glowing reviews from the IMDb folks. Ford's performance is "B" movie all the way. I felt awkward watching him perform so poorly. I don't know the chronology off hand of Ford's movies but surely this looked like his first starring role. The movie's plot is fairly promising from the start but it goes on and on like a made-for-HBO movie. Perhaps there are elements in the movie that only the "movie-going-elite" can appreciate but for the average Joe this movie is so been there/done that/bought the tee-shirt". Watch the movie if you wish but please come back here and honestly express what redeeming qualities you see - I sure didn't find any.

It kept me 'Frantic' throughout the film!!!! Brilliant!!!!! :)

There is no better thriller than this movie and even Hitchcock would have agreed. From the very beginning, this movie keeps you also 'Frantic', as Harrison Ford (Dr. Richard Walker) looks for his wife in the beautiful and romantic city of, 'Paris', where she was believed to have been kidnapped.Other than the great plot, the film delivers great music that suits the film, which include a song from the one and only 'Grace Jones', called 'Stange', which when sung, gives you a wonderful French atmosphere in the movie. However the movie would not have been the same if their wasn't Harrison Ford in it. He is the greatest actor of all time and always delivers a wonderful performance, no matter what role. In this movie, he gave such an excellent performance, so realistic and powerful, which made this movie one of the best ever. I strongly recommend watching this masterpiece. I give this movie a score of 10/10.

Frenzied thriller

7/10Roman Polanski's thriller worked extremely well and just about summed up the panic feeling when you are not in control of your surroundings. Here Harrison Ford plays a doctor who goes to Paris with his wife for a conference meeting. When his wife suspiciously disappears from the hotel room the movie begins to unravel the twists that have found the Walkers in this situation. It is the sense of frenzy and frustration that make it such a good film, and I firmly believe that Ford encapsulated the frustrations and anger very well. Emmanuelle Seigner also did a very good job of portraying the girl with attitude, but also showed a naive and child-like side on times. The screenplay was generally sound, with the camera work establishing the feel and frenetic nature of the movie. Perhaps the movie went on a little too long as there were some scenes that dragged a little, but all in all it was a good movie that managed to make myself care about the ending.

Jon Monsarrat review: plain film made amazing by Ford

I'm an action movie guy, so I'm totally into this genre. I loved The Fugitive, for example. But let's face it. There's not much to Frantic. It's a straightforward crime/thriller flick without a romance subplot. The protagonist isn't particularly clever and can't fight. We waste time in the film doing things like phoning a gymnasium and getting hung up on, so we have to go to the gym in person! So what?The so what is Harrison Ford. Throughout the film, his acting creates the tension by being so incredibly, well... Frantic! Such actions as rummaging through suitcases looking for clues becomes fantastic to watch. And, importantly, the film is realistic and visceral. The protagonist can't fight because he's a regular guy. The stuff that happens in the film might actually happen in real life. It's a wonderful feat of storytelling that proves that you don't need to wow the audience with eye candy (Jurassic Park). You can wow them with interesting characterization, great acting.Who should see this film:-- action/thriller buffs looking for a prequel to The Fugitive-- Stephen Spielberg. This is how it's done, kiddo. Cut the CGI.I'll give Frantic a 7 out of 10 which is amazing considering that having a more clever plot and some actual action would have been nice. And the film flirts with a romance subplot it never achieves. Loose ends are not explained at the end of the film.

Perfect Film Disgraceful Transfer to DVD

This is one of my FAVORITE movies. Despite the horrible transfer to DVD I still watch it often. I am writing this with the hopes that with the stellar release of Polanski's Tess the powers that be WILL do a new transfer of this Polanski masterpiece. A new digital transfer in WIDESCREEN format would do justice to a film that deserves it. PLEASE. This is a 5 star film .

Gripping but flawed.

This Polanski thriller is flawlessly acted, fairly gripping and it sustains your interest throughout. Still, it doesn't really meet our expectations in the plot department. As a reviewer on the "Amazon.com" page points out, you expect something "deeper and darker" than a more or less standard spy plot.