Cinematic Point Of View

I have a physical media problem. I buy so many different discs I often forget that I even have them. A few weekends ago I was going through the stacks and trying to cull the herd when I came upon ‘Narrow Margin’ starring Gene Hackman and Anne Archer. I probably haven’t seen this one since the theatre in 1990 and decided to give it a watch.

I was pleasantly surprised!

The film is pretty straightforward. A woman goes on a blind date and witnesses a mob murder. The cop tries to bring her in to testify. Bad guys try to kill her. The cop and witness escape onto a train and fight to survive.

There isn’t a lot of meat on it’s bones, but that’s okay. With all going on in the world, having less to think about with my entertainment was just what the doctor ordered.

Gene Hackman and Anne Archer elevate the streamlined story. Archer is vulnerable and tough when she needs to be. Hackman is pushy and funny when he needs to be.

There is an action scene where a helicopter chases their SUV through the woods down a mountain that’s pretty epic. I miss these kinds of real world chases versus the more over the top CG stuff. Sheesh, I sound like an old guy.

There are also a ton of familiar favorites 80s and 90s supporting actors in this one too. James B. Sikking, J.T. Walsh, and M. Emmet Walsh to name a few. They all do what they do best. Chewing the scenery.

Speaking of scenery, the Pacific Northwest locations are beautiful. The train stunts at the end of the movie are pretty great, too. On the Blu-ray there is a b-roll extras feature showing the actors and crew on a real train filming this thing! It’s pretty impressive.

I have to admit that I’m not much of a fan of director Peter Hyams. His films are always so dimly lit that you can hardly see what’s happening. That tradition holds true in ‘Narrow Margin,’ but for some reason it didn’t bother me like it used to.

At the end of the day, I’m really glad I bought this blu-ray. ‘Narrow Margin’ was a really enjoyable blast from the past and a great little film to pop on for a lazy Sunday on the couch. It’s like a fluffy, fun paperback you pick up at the airport and get lost in while traveling, but maybe forget about a few week later. That might not sound like high praise, but it is. It serves its purpose well.