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The Information On - 'The Limey'

Monday 13 December 1999 00:02 GMT
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What Is It?

The new thriller from Steven Soderbergh, which tries to be as gaunt and chiselled as Wilson, the Brit-in-LA of its title. While he was banged up in prison, Wilson's daughter, Jenny, died in Los Angeles in mysterious circum-stances. One way or another, he intends to discover the truth.

Who's In It?

Terence Stamp plays the ruthless protagonist, while fellow Sixties icon Peter Fonda stars as Terry Valentine, a hoodlum and Jenny's ex-boyfriend, who knows more about her death than he wants to let on. Stamp also appears as a younger Wilson via clips from Ken Loach's Poor Cow, shot 32 years ago - Soderbergh cunningly bought the rights to that film.

What They Say About It

"Soderbergh edits the film in a modishly fractured way, flashing back and forward, having dialogue overlap scenes or simply inventing fantasies of violent revenge. While it's great to look at, there remains a suspicion that this bravura stuff is there just to tart up a very ordinary thriller plot," Anthony Quinn, The Independent.

"Stamp has terrific charisma and self-possession, along with more than a hint of irony in his absurd cockney accent, richly overdone but glacially - and convincingly - threatening. As a screen actor, he just gets better and better," Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian.

"There is a problem: Terence Stamp can't act. He has a deadly face, a killer smile, but when he tries to sound like a contemporary East End wideboy, he comes out sounding like Arthur Mullard. The whole production screeches to a halt whenever he opens his mouth," Andrew O'Hagan, The Daily Telegraph.

Where You Can See It

The Limey (18, 89 mins) is on general release around the country

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