FILM / Critical round-up

MAD DOG AND GLORY

'Most Hollywood bed displays are as slick as a turn by performing seals; her (Uma Thurman) fumbling scenes with De Niro remind us of how awkward sex can be.' Geoff Brown, Times

'A few minutes of rough stuff out on police patrol; then a few of De Niro and Thurman going kissy-kissy on his sofa . . . then a few more thudding corpses or crashing fists; then some buddy-buddy cosiness between De Niro and Murray; then more mayhem; then more amore . . . ' Nigel Andrews, Financial Times

RED ROCK WEST

' . . .It's very entertaining, doesn't detain you long, and has total confidence in its cinematic convictions.' Derek Malcolm, Guardian

'Character interplay, black humour and Dahl's fine eye for desolate landscapes keep the first half bubbling merrily. Then the script loses some of its impudent ingenuity, and Hopper's florid villain outstays his welcome. But even if Red Rock West falters at the close, there are far worse ways to spend 98 minutes.' Geoff Brown, Times

THE ASSASSIN

'We begin with the explosive: robbery, murder, arrest, violent training. Then like soothing sorbets between helping of red meat, we keep being served romantic entr'actes.' Nigel Andrews, Financial Times

THE FENCING MASTER

'A tasteful, gracefully acted tale of mystery and romance, set in the art- house world of literate speech, 19th- century furnishings, and horses' hoofs clattering in stereo on cobbles.' Geoff Brown, Times