Last Embrace is a thriller in the style of Hitchcock. So much so, that everything from the structure of the story, to the music, to costume, to scenery arrangements pay homage to Hitchcock movies such as Psycho, Vertigo, North by Northwest, Dial M for Murder, and Strangers on a Train.
This is the story of Harry Hanna, a government hit-man who's wife dies after a hit gone wrong. Following his absence from the job due to his wife's death, he comes back to the city expecting to start up work again. But Harry gets the cold shoulder from his employers who consider him out of work indefinitely. Harry doesn't like the brush off, and starts to suspect that he is next on the hit list. At first, Harry seems irrational, made paranoid because of the previous hit gone wrong. But, Harry is right when he starts to guys trailing him.
Harry's apartment is being sublet to a young woman who is a student at the university. At first, Harry feels alien, like his identity has been erased the way the company severed their ties to him while he is left to fend for himself. And he just wants the girl in his apartment to pack up and get out. But eventually, she starts to help Harry out figuring what the heck is going down. But things are not always as they appear...
This is a suspense movie told in the classic Hitchcock style. It's slow at parts as it bounces around to the endeavors of various characters, and some of Harry's moments of sentimental dialogue may've worked for a 50s era Hitchcock film, but it sure is ridiculous for a movie like this. In fact, Demme's movie could've just as well been made for the 50s (hold the language and nudity), given the style of the movie. The disappointment is the finale when the enemies reveal their reason for wanting Harry dead. In fact, it was down right stupid. But, the accompanying chase and suspense moments are enough to suffice. In the end, it's a pretty good movie. I was disappointed to see Christopher Walken in for only a short while. It's also fun to watch the movie and point out the parts resembling various Hitchcock classics. There's plenty of them in there, even subtle tributes.
This is the story of Harry Hanna, a government hit-man who's wife dies after a hit gone wrong. Following his absence from the job due to his wife's death, he comes back to the city expecting to start up work again. But Harry gets the cold shoulder from his employers who consider him out of work indefinitely. Harry doesn't like the brush off, and starts to suspect that he is next on the hit list. At first, Harry seems irrational, made paranoid because of the previous hit gone wrong. But, Harry is right when he starts to guys trailing him.
Harry's apartment is being sublet to a young woman who is a student at the university. At first, Harry feels alien, like his identity has been erased the way the company severed their ties to him while he is left to fend for himself. And he just wants the girl in his apartment to pack up and get out. But eventually, she starts to help Harry out figuring what the heck is going down. But things are not always as they appear...
This is a suspense movie told in the classic Hitchcock style. It's slow at parts as it bounces around to the endeavors of various characters, and some of Harry's moments of sentimental dialogue may've worked for a 50s era Hitchcock film, but it sure is ridiculous for a movie like this. In fact, Demme's movie could've just as well been made for the 50s (hold the language and nudity), given the style of the movie. The disappointment is the finale when the enemies reveal their reason for wanting Harry dead. In fact, it was down right stupid. But, the accompanying chase and suspense moments are enough to suffice. In the end, it's a pretty good movie. I was disappointed to see Christopher Walken in for only a short while. It's also fun to watch the movie and point out the parts resembling various Hitchcock classics. There's plenty of them in there, even subtle tributes.