The Ambassador (movie released in 1984) - Starring Robert Mitchum, Ellen Burstyn and Rock Hudson

Directed by British film director, J. Lee Thompson (King Solomon’s Mines) The Ambassador is a romantic-political thriller. The story’s is loosely sourced from the novel 52 –Pick Up by Elmore Leonard. Notable for having a cast which was aged, yet well known for its acting prowess, the film tells of the US Ambassador Peter Hacker (Robert Mitchum) and Head of Security Frank Stevenson (Rock Hudson) head out to the Middle East, as it suffers yet another diplomatic set back concerning Israel and Palestine. They have brokered a peace deal with the PLO, and are going to meet a group of young Israelis and Palestinians in the midst of the Judean Desert-only to have the meeting disrupted by the Israeli Armed Forces, both the Ambassador and Head of Security are apprehended.
Unbeknownst to the Ambassador, his wife Alex (Ellen Burstyn) is having an affair with Mustapha Hashimi (Fabio Testi). On one of their trysts in Jerusalem, they are followed and the rendezvous is videographed, anonymously. Frank’s role in the apprehension in the Desert is suspect, as he reports to a superior that Hacker is unfit to be envoy, after the two meet with the Israeli Defense Minister Eretz (Donald Pleasence), who reaffirms his commitment to the peace process.
Alex, very much besotted with her lover, chooses to create a drunken scene at a diplomatic-do, going off in a frustrated huff to meet Mustapha. She calls him from a booth in front of his apartment, when an explosion injures her, killing several others. Hacker and Stevenson are clueless with regard to her whereabouts, a phone call alerts the Ambassador to come to a movie theater all by himself. When he enters the building, the recorded images of Alex and her lover are played out on the screen- Frank, who was close at Hacker’s heels- witnesses this as well.
The Ambassador is informed that his wife is alive, and being cared for in a hospital. When the two men visit her, Alex tells her husband she would like to leave Israel and return to the US.

Back in his office, Peter is privy to a phone call which warns him that if he doesn’t pay ‘hush money’, the videographed events will be mailed to the President of the US. Hacker refuses, saying he would do no such thing, and tells Frank that he suspects foul play. That night, Peter tells Alex he is aware of her affair and that she is pawn in a dangerous game.

Heartbroken and shocked, Alex wants to find out Mustapha’s real identity. She learns he is a prominent member of the PLO and a wealthy businessman. The film, it appears, was made by the Mossad, to be used in case of ‘protection of its interests’. But as luck would have it, the Palestinians steal it from them. Stevenson is able to crack the case, unearthing the identity of the blackmailers as well- who had managed to get $500,000 from Hashimi. The two men also reveal that the KGB has sent a man called Stone to assassinate the Ambassador.

Peter sets up a meeting with Mustapha, confident that he can once more embark on the path of peace. He meets Israeli and Palestinian students in the outskirts of Tel Aviv, the talks are successful, but tragedy strikes when the students are ambushed by Palestinian terrorists, it ends in a massacre, and the tragic killing of Mustapha Hashimi.

On their return to the Embassy, Frank foils an assassination attempt to kill Hacker by KGB hireling-Stone, shooting him in the back of the head. Peter, overwhelmed and saddened by the chain of events that has been wrought, despite his best intentions, wants to retire, but Alex bids him not to, and the film ends with Hacker, looking misty eyed as group of Israeli students hold a peace rally, still optimistic that someday the Conflict would be resolved.

The Dancing Masters (released in 1943) - Starring Laurel and Hardy

‘You’re always sticking your foot into something…’
And this time Laurel and Hardy (proprietors) at the Arthur Hurry School of Dancing are kicking up and sticking their foot into many sticky pies! The opening scene is funny and endearing as a surprisingly agile Hardy instructing pretty ladies that ‘gracefulness is everything’- never mind the ditty is ‘London Bridge’, in an adjoining hall, Stan pirouettes like a ballerina, showing off ‘the dance of the pelican’, his “own original creation”- as his mum looks on, a lady comments “isn’t he light?”, and mum retorts scornfully “in the head!”
The duo is facing financial troubles, even though their friend and pupil Trudy Harlan (Trudy Marshall, Too Many Winners) pitches in. Unbeknownst to them, elsewhere in the city are a bunch of goons at the ACME Importing Co (a clever cover-up), who plan to sell insurance, instead of ‘protection’, to throw the FBI off of their scent. Thus, ‘The Last Mile Insurance Company’ is born.
Their first clients are the gullible and easily intimidated proprietors at Arthur Hurry (the Company guys think they have ‘tremendous business’) - who at refuse the insurance, but are not so subtly told that the ‘joint’ may burn down, suppose there were to be an explosion, or a partner (gesturing at Stan) broke an arm or a leg - this grabs their attention, and are filled with wonder that one could actually earn money for something like that! So the going rate for Stan’s missing limbs are decided thus:
- breaks an arm: $5000
- breaks an arm AND a leg:$10,000
- breaks an arm and leg, AND loses an eye: $25,000
- and in the event he breaks his neck: Oliver Hardy, beneficiary for the full amount : $100,000!!!!$$$!!!
The first premium of $100 paid, and a threat hanging over him to pay it again by the third of the next month -the Company leaves, duping the duo. Meanwhile, Trudy invites her love interest, Grant - a mechanic at her Father’s factory, along with Laurel and Hardy, as her parents are leaving for Washington. On the other hand, her Father is hoping that the future Vice President of his company George Worthing, would also be his future son–in-law. He fires Grant for accidentally injuring George.





At her house, the three men make themselves comfortable, but Grant spills some ginger ale on his trousers, so Trudy offers to dry them for him. As Laurel and Hardy bicker over an issue, Hardy goes out of the front door - only to come charging back in: the Harlans are back with George Worthing! They hide upstairs in the bedroom, under the beds, whilst Grant (trouser less) ducks behind a sofa. Harlan Sr. is giving George a tour of the living room, he accidentally fires a gun, and Grant’s cover is blown - he tells Harlan that he was invited by Trudy, the men don’t realize he is in his undershorts, when Mrs. Harlan enters the room - she screams in shock, Grant leaves, George threatens to punch him in the nose of he ever sees him hanging around Trudy. Mrs. Harlan, in hysterics after seeing her husband’s secret stash of liquor in an elaborate bar behind the book shelves - hurries up to her bedroom, where Laurel and Hardy are still under the beds!
Wentworth Harlan and George unwind over drinks - the latter discloses Grant’s secret invention - an invisible ray that would revolutionize warfare. George has the hideous plan of sabotaging the invention when Grant runs out of money, to claim it for his own, Harlan is interested and decides to be in cahoots with him. A hard day over, the Harlans settle down in bed - unaware of their strange bedfellows, one of whom dear ol’ Stan, falls asleep like a baby, but snores like a hibernating bear - waking up Mrs. Harlan. She in turn wakes up Mr. Harlan - and they bicker about each other’s snoring. Hardy tries to shush Stan, Mrs. Harlan thinks it’s her husband shushing her - ‘Don’t you shush me, if there’s anything I hate - it’s a shusher’- she declares. Meanwhile, the duo - Stan and Hardy try creeping out, getting cold feet when they see the sheer drop from the window.
As they hang on for support, grabbing a carpet, Hardy drags Wentworth’s bed out of the window into the fountain below, but they manage to escape as he screams for the police! Their troubles start to pile up, with the landlord threatening to dispossess them, evict them, throw them out - unless they pay the rent by midday. Hardy refuses to withdraw from the bank as the $300 they have is ‘our nesting’. Despite their resolve, they end up using it to buy a grandfather clock at an auction!
On the other hand, Trudy wants her friends to help Grant, so that the presentation of the invisible ray gun can take place; the Ollie , in the guise of Professor Findash Gorp and Stan, as his assistant, proceed to give a demonstration; as the catchphrase goes ‘well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into’- in  true-blue L & H style, they goof up - burning down Harlan’s property, and worse, destroying Grant’s invention! They decide that they must repay $10,000 to Grant - Ollie concocts a devious plan on the sly to ensure that Stan breaks his leg - so that he can claim insurance on his behalf, unaware that he’s been duped by the Company.
He overhears someone say how they broke their leg on a roller coaster - that gives Ollie an idea, and he takes the unsuspecting Stan to the boardwalk. Meanwhile, George Worthing, never one to give up, steals the blueprints of Grant’s invention - to the horror and dismay of Harlan, who realizes he’s misread the executive’s character - and so, fires him. He also promises Trudy to finance Grant’s research.
Elsewhere, our poor unsuspicious  Stan goes along with Ollie’s plan, only fate has different ideas in store- and in the end, after a harrowing ride in a bus on a roller coaster, it is Ollie whose leg breaks, and who has to recuperate in hospital whilst good ol’ Stan waits by him, munching his fruit! Brilliantly directed by Mal St.Clair, there is never a dull moment – great watch for a rainy afternoon with the kids!

Corvette K-225 (released in 1943) - Starring Randolph Scott, Ella Raines and Barry Fitzgerald

Corvette K 225, a war-drama film, is directed by Richard Rosson. Tt features a story bound ship HMCS Donnacona, of the Royal Canadian Navy. It stars Randolph Scott (other movies: 7th Cavalry, Comanche Station) as Lt. Cdr McLain and Ella Raines (it was her debut film in 1943). During the War, MacLain has to return to his native Canada, after having suffered a terrible setback - his ship, a Corvette, is blown apart by a German torpedo whilst escorting a convoy.
Seething, the Lt. Cdr is determined to take vengeance for deaths of those men who were mercilessly gunned down by a German U-boat. He refuses the Admiral’s offer for leave, and decides instead to wait until a new ship is commissioned. Whilst he’s on standby, he befriends Joyce Cartwright, played by Ella Raines, the sibling of Dick Cartwright, an officer who lost his life on the ship under McLain’s command.
Quite naturally disturbed by the loss of her brother, Joyce pins the blame for his tragic and untimely death on Mac; she is heartbroken and believes that if it weren’t for him - Dick would still be alive. However, time heals the ugliest wounds, and gradually, her animosity towards Mac fades, and is replaced with love.
In the meantime, the HMCS Donnacona, a Corvette K 225 is commissioned with a crew of sixty five men, which includes Joyce’s  young sibling - Lt. Paul Cartwright, a typical youngster who complains about what a hard act to follow and please MacLain is. The ship is bound for Europe, under the command of Commodore Ramsay, tasked with the duty of carrying cargo such as airplanes, gasoline and tanks. The Germans are stationed off the coast of Newfoundland, at Ethel, when another ship is torpedoed - the HMCS Donnacona sights the remnants – dead soldiers who have been thrown to the surface from the bowels of the ocean.

On the ninth day, the HMCS Donnacona is caught in the midst of a raging storm, as a result of which, it strays from the convoy and is lost. When the ship is about three hundred miles away from the Irish Coast, MacLain realizes there are more ships like the HMCS Donnacona which have strayed away from their convoys, he meets the Captain of the tanker Egyptian Star, who conveys dire warnings and fears to MacLain, believing that his ship is being followed and is under surveillance of German submarines.
Just as the Captain warned, they come under German fire from a squadron of bombers, but one of the convoy’s fighter planes comes to its rescue. In the fighting that ensues, the Egyptian Star is sunk by a torpedo, while the HMCS Donnacona takes on the submarines. Using a depth charge, one of the submarines is eliminated, however, the HMCS Donnacona comes under attack from a U-boat in a surface battle that disables it, Mac is also injured. Lt. Paul Cartwright with Seaman Stooky O’Meara move underwater to dispose the depth charges, which strike the submarine.
When it’s destroyed, MacLain recognizes the U-boat as the one which was responsible for the death of his men. The HMCS Donnacona arrives safely in Ireland with another six merchant ships. As a mark of respect, before it anchors the Corvette K 225 sails past the other docked ships, which salute the crew for its unsurpassed courage in the face of the enemy. A film which has a tragic beginning, but a triumphant end; an easy watch if you’re a WWII movie buff!

Minesweeper (released in 1943) - Starring Richard Arlen, Russell Hayden and Jean Parker

Directed by William Berke (other movies: Jungle Jim, The Marshal’s Daughter), the Minesweeper is a warm film about love, war and sacrifice. Even though that sounds a bit jaded, yet it brings to the audience a freshness and humor which is simple and contagious. Sometime in December 1941, after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, a former army man and deserter (for he’d raked up huge gambling debts) Richard   Houston (played by Richard Arlen) rolls the dice with fellow travelers in a boxcar, one of the men picks up the newspaper and reads out loud ‘every able bodied man…will either be in the armed service or working in a defense plan…’ The man reading- vociferously derides the announcement, only to earn the ire of Houston, who retorts that “…we’re at war and every able bodied man has a job to do.’ A scuffle ensues in which Houston is thrown off the moving locomotive.
Rescued by a passerby, Chief Petty Officer Ichabod Ferdinand “Fixit” Smith, Houston tells him that his name is Jim “Tennessee” Jones; when he gets off at the next town, he wants to send a telegram, he looks at a newspaper cutting he keeps - a picture of himself with the headline reading ‘Naval Officer Missing- Lieutenant Richard Houston Sought by Naval Authorities.’ He crumples the paper, and proceeds to write a telegram to the Records Office at Arkansas, requesting the birth certificate of one James Smith born in 1909. (The good Samaritan who rescued him had mentioned that his name Jim “Tennessee” Jones sounded familiar, he knew someone born in 1909 by that name, a distant cousin- this gives Houston the chance to further strengthen his fake identity).
The man takes him home, where he meets Mary Smith, ‘Fixit’ Smith’s niece, who lives with him and Mom Smith. Jim enlists in the Navy, he makes careful efforts to remain unnoticed, purposely missing targets in at the rifle range etc. but in spite of this, before long, is promoted to the rank of Gunner’s Mate.

He vies for Mary’s affection, pitted against Elliot Nash (Russell Hayden), whom he meets on Mary’s birthday - in fact both men end up gifting her the same vanity set, except that the one Jim gave her has a note that reads “Happy Birthday to Blue Eyes”. The three men are assigned to a mine disposal ship, one day, they are on a scouting mission, when the mooring’s of the vessel are trapped in a landmine. Teaming up with two other sailors, Jim and Elliot examine the problem at hand; the former dislodges a knife from the mine, and they return to the ship, wondering about how the bomb looked a lot different from other they’d seen. Unfortunately, as soon as they return, the two sailors are killed in the mine blast.
Lieutenant Gilpin (Frank Felton, Gun Man Down) is allocated the task of training both Gun Mates in the field of diffusing mines underwater; on their first assignment, Jim’s oxygen lines become tangled in a net - Elliot saves his life. When Lt. Gilpin sifts through Jim’s belongings, he comes across a pocket watch with the name Richard Houston engraved on it - this gives rise to suspicion, and the Lt. unbeknownst to Jim, starts to investigate his true identity. He finds a write-up and photograph of his in a Naval record book - he writes to the US Naval Academy from where Houston graduated , to furnish personal details of the man, including his current whereabouts - stating at the end – ‘this is strictly unofficial.’
Meanwhile, Jim is so besotted with Mary and determined to win her hand, that he “borrows” ten bucks from a colleague and wagers it in the hope that he may use the winnings to buy an engagement ring - he loses the money as well as misses out on a dinner date with Mary. Fixit makes the needful excuses on Jim’s behalf, and is then sent on duty. Sadly, a Japanese mine is set off  and Fixit dies in the mishap. Meanwhile, Jim returns and proposes to Mary, who seems sad and preoccupied, when she asks Jim whether he’s heard anything about her Uncle, he replies he isn’t aware - and is shocked to learn of his kind friend’s sudden death.
Bewildered and contrite, he tells Mary the truth about his own identity and plans to run away again. However, he receives orders to return to Base, where Lt. Gilpin wants to unearth how the mines work - he orders Jim to dive and find out. When Elliot and Jim dives, they   discover that the mines are sensitive to sound, and are propelled by sound waves. Jim compels his friend Elliot to move up to the surface, as he tries to disable the mine - suddenly, the mine explodes and Jim is killed. Lt. Gilpin was able to unearth and dismantle countless mines based on the information Jim shared before his death, for which he is awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.

National Treasure (released in 2004) - Starring Nicholas Cage, Jon Voight, and Diane Krueger

Directed by Jonathan Turteltaub (other credits include: While You Were Sleeping, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice), the film is about  cryptologist and historian - Benjamin Franklin Gates, played by Nicholas Cage (other famous movies - The Rock, Con Air). It also stars Diane Krueger (Inglorious Basterds, Mr. Nobody), Jon Voight (Pearl Harbor, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), and Christopher Plummer (The Sound of Music).
Young Benjamin is loitering about in the attic, on a stormy night in 1974, he is about to open an ornate wooden box, when his grandfather John Adam Gates (Christopher Plummer) chances upon him; the old man then narrates to him the story behind the scrap of paper in the wooden box. The year was 1832, the only surviving signatory of the Declaration of Independence, Charles Carroll is anxious to speak to the then 7th President – Andrew Jackson - before he dies. However, the President is not at the White House that night, and Carroll has to share the secret with a stable boy -Thomas Gates, young Benjamin’s ancestor.
Thomas is apprised of a great treasure collected throughout history from different parts of the world, before it was discovered by the Knights Templar - who ‘spaced it out’ all over Europe and America, so that it did not fall into any one man’s hands. The Freemasons, an offshoot of the Templars, with big names like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin had helped the Knights conceal this treasure from the British. They devised covert codes, maps and clues, which only they knew; as time went by, all the clues save one were lost - that last trace was left with Charles Carroll, and it read ‘The secret lies with Charlotte.’ In keeping with the nature of clues -  it was so cryptic, Carroll had no idea what it meant!




When Ben asks his father Patrick Henry Gates (Jon Voight) about the treasure and the Knights Templar, he expresses skepticism, and asks the child’s grandfather to leave, but not before Ben asks the old man whether he is a knight. Instead of answering the child, he asks him whether he would like to be knighted, and why would a kid refuse such an offer? John knights Ben, charging him with the duty of finding the treasure.
We meet Benjamin, with his trusty aides - in the inhospitable Arctic, in search for a sunken ship called the ‘Charlotte’. They sift through the wreck, finding only kegs of gunpowder, till the team comes across the corpse, which they think is most likely the Captain’s; what makes it noteworthy is that it sits guarding a barrel, in macabre-after-life allegiance. When the barrel is opened, it cases a meerschaum pipe, in ivory-at the bottom of which is inscribed a riddle:
‘The legend writ, the stain affected. The key in Silence undetected. Fifty-five in iron pen, Mr. Matlack can't offend.’
Apparently, fifty five men had sworn to carry out a task, Matlack was Timothy Matlack, the scribe at the Continental Congress, the men had signed the Declaration of Independence that he had penned. When one of the team - Ian Howe, wants to have a closer look at the document, Ben refuses, reluctant to get close to an artifact of such import; this angers Ian, who declares he can steal the Declaration and find the treasure using the clues in it. Ian steals the pipe and document, escaping, but not before he sets fire to the ship, trapping Ben and Riley (Ben’s friend) in it - the two however, unbeknownst to Ian, escape unscathed.
Back in the US, the duo try and convince the FBI, DHS and lastly Dr. Abigail Chase (Diane Krueger), an expert on historical documents, that the Declaration of Independence could be stolen - no one believes them. Ben tries to win the latter over by sending her the missing election pin of General Washington, as a token.
As Ben and Riley discuss things over, they come to the conclusion that in order for it to be safe - the Declaration must be stolen before it falls into Ian’s hands. This they plan to do at a gala event to be hosted at the National Archives sometime later in the week.
In the guise of a worker at the gallery, Ben makes his way in, he later changes into a tuxedo, offers champagne to Abigail, and uses her thumb print to open the ‘Preservation Room’ using the password ‘Valley Forge’ to get in. He now stands before the Declaration of Independence, but just as he is about to open the case, Riley’s video feed is interrupted - by none other than Ian. With no way out, Ben grabs the case with the Declaration, only to bang into Ian on his way out - dodging bullets, he makes for the elevators, freeing it from its case. Meanwhile Abigail’s suspicions are raised when she does not see the pseudonym Paul Brown (used by Ben when he met her first) on the guest list - cornered; Ben makes a dash for it, whilst Abigail is accosted by Ian and his goons, who think she has the coveted document. Ben saves her, while Ian escapes with a document - a hysterical Abigail is told that the original is still with Ben and she needn’t worry.
The only safe haven for the three now is Ben’s father - Patrick’s house. Here they decipher the inscription behind the Declaration, which further links them to letters written by Benjamin Franklin.
A few more wild chases later, and a clever ruse to get Ben away from the FBI planned by none other than Ian, the duo meet and go down to a tunnel in search of the last clue - only to reach a dead end, that almost costs Ben his life, but he is saved by Patrick who intentionally misleads Ian with a false clue. When Ben is ready to turn over the Declaration, the Agent reveals he too is a Freemason, and promises the safe delivery of the document to the National Archives and arrest Of Ian. Considerably richer and financially secure Ben and Riley call it a day, with Riley still grumpy about the money they could’ve earned.
The movie has been called all sorts of things, ‘silly’ being one of them, but an enjoyable ride for kids and adults alike, despite holding only a 44% rating with Rotten Tomatoes.

Adaptation - Released in 2002 - Starring Nicholas Cage, Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper

In 1998, Susan Orlean, an American journalist investigated a case of orchid poaching in a south Florida state preserve. Her book is a glimpse into the peculiarities of the lives of the people in the plant business and the struggles they face on a day-to-day basis. The result was the book “The Orchid Thief”.
In 2002, the book was the inspiration for the movie ‘Adaptation’, in which Meryl Streep plays Susan Orlean, Chris Cooper plays John Laroche , the poacher, and Nicholas Cage brings to life the twin characters of Charlie and Donald Kaufman; in real life, Charlie Kaufman has written the screenplay. The meta character of the film talks about Charlie’s challenges whilst trying to adapt the book for the silver screen, in that it is almost a semi autobiographical memoir of sorts.
The character of Laroche has many interesting shades; here is a man obsessive about creating a clone of the extraordinary Ghost Orchid, to reap rich benefits; the catch is that they grow in an elusive swampland which is Seminole (a Native American Tribe) Territory, the Natives use an extract from the flower for illegal drug use. John takes advantage of the Seminoles’ legal right to use their own ancestral property as they will - and ropes in members of the community to help him out.
His passion is evident when he asks Susan whether she knows why he likes plants:
“You know why I like plants?  Because they're so mutable. Adaptation is a profound process. Means you figure out how to thrive in the world.”
Perhaps that sets the cadence for the film - the means of finding out how to succeed in the world. ‘Adaptation’ quibbles over the Darwinian principle of how to adapt, as opposed to how to evolve; it is extrapolated to the excruciating course taken to adapting The Orchid Thief into screenplay.




In the movie, Charlie assays the character of Laroche at great length, but is unable to find more ‘meat’ to adapt this character for the screen; he is also unable to represent the breathtaking beauty of the orchid visually. Since the book is more of reportage, it lacks the inherent drama required for a movie, and therein lies the challenge for Charlie, who suffers from a case of prolonged writer’s block.
Dealing with his own personal demons - depression, social phobia, self loathing - Charlie struggles to create an impact on Amelia Kavan (played by Cara Seymour; Hotel Rwanda, Gangs of New York), his own diffidence and insecurities act as a barrier, keeping him from her, although she is undoubtedly interested in him.
The opening voice over waxes eloquent about Charlie’s copious foibles - bald pate, lack of talent, least enviable body etc. His monozygotic twin Donald, also an aspiring writer, with far less talent yet tons more confidence, chooses to make Charlie the subject of his writing, fascinated with the sibling’s  ‘chalk’ to his ‘cheese’ existence. The bi polar character he writes about has shades of the twins, except that it is a madman and woman, wrapped in one - to Charlie’s utter bewilderment, he wonders how Donald would get them together in the same scene - ‘when one has the other locked in the basement’. However, Donald’s “clichéd psycho-thriller” sells for a million bucks, as the ink starts to flow from Charlie’s end – unconsciously referring to his own life and times  throughout the screenplay.
Charlie’s much thumbed copy of The Orchid Thief, resplendent with yellow post-its and neon highlights, gives him sleepless nights, not only because the gauntlet jeers at him, but also because he fancies himself besotted with Susan, whom he calls to mind in a state of euphoric self gratification.
These three characters are primary to the story line, the shades to their person, their anxieties, their joys and trials are what pepper the script-not the usual sex, action and car chases. However one may try and avoid the pitfall of ‘formula’- it is almost impossible. And when Donald, posing as Charlie meets Susan (the latter gets cold feet, and returns), he feels something is amiss. The two follow Susan to Florida, only to discover Laroche and her in the throes of Ghost Orchid-drug-induced passion.
A violent car chase ensues, with Donald getting killed and Susan being arrested, in case you’re wondering about Laroche - an alligator got to him before the police did. With Donald gone, Charlie picks up the pieces of his life, and writes the screenplay, with Gérard Depardieu in mind.
The film won nominations for Streep, Cage and Cooper at the 56th British Academy Film Awards; while at the 75th Academy Awards, Cooper was awarded in the Best Supporting Actor category. Interestingly, Donald Kaufman is the only fictitious character to have been nominated for an Oscar!

Action thriller - Gone in 60 seconds (released in 2000) (starring Nicholas Cage, Angelina Jolie and Robert Duvall)

"I didn't do it for the money. I did it for the cars." (Memphis)

Gone in 60 Seconds is somewhat loosely based on the 1974 film by the same name; the current movie was directed by Dominic Sena (Swordfish), was released in 2000, and stars Nicholas Cage, Angelina Jolie and Robert Duvall, among an ensemble cast.
Randall “Memphis” Raines (Nicholas Cage, The Rock, Con Air) is an ex-car thief, who is forced to go back to his thieving ways when the Brit crime czar threatens to kill his brother Kip, when he failed to deliver a consignment of stolen vehicles on time.
How to save his brother ? The condition is to steal 50 cars in 72 hours, with his former partners-in-crime Otto (Robert Duvall, who played roles in Godfather, Speed) and Sway (Angelina Jolie, most famous in Lara Croft and Salt).
Suspicions are fanned when LAPD detectives come to learn of Raines’ return- Memphis must get the cars to the Long Beach Docks. These fifty beauties range from the Aston Martin, the Dodge Viper, Ferrari, to the Pontiac, Lamborghini and Volvo, each of them are code named after girls - Bernadine (Jaguar XJ220), Pamela (Chevy Corvette), Sharon (Pontiac GTO) etc.




All goes according to plan, until Detective Castlebeck (Delroy Lindo) throws a spanner in the works and takes out three cars - not one to be deterred, Memphis steals three cars from the police parking lot in retaliation. The Achilles’ Heel is Eleanor, the 1967 Mustang – which Raines has tried to steal on many occasions prior and failed. A Hollywood style chase takes place, which ends with Memphis jumping the car over a jam.
Unfortunately, Memphis reaches 12 minutes late - which almost cost him his life and the Eleanor is ordered to be crushed. When LAPD learns of the actual reasons for Raines return to crime, Castlebeck teams up with him to kill Calitri -who falls to his death. Kip presents Memphis with the keys to an old Mustang, which he bought in exchange for his chopper, finally happy, with his criminal past behind him, Raine and Sway drive into ‘happily-ever-after’.
Despite the impressive cast, the film received mostly poor reviews, the real star of the movie though, was Eleanor, the Mustang - with its replica named Roneale (Eleanor spelt backwards). The movie promises turbo-charged, adrenaline pumping thrills, but delivers only high decibel hype - do consider watching it just for Jolie’s pout, since Cage’s mumbling tone and the alternating screeching of brakes makes for little that could be termed entertaining.
The plot seems jaded, and the rush one awaits at the prospect of fifty machines displaying such brazen horsepower-never really happens. Great cast, fifty awesome cars, and 118 minutes later - the movie is still lame and boring. Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced Days of Thunder, The Rock, Con Air etc, really lost the plot this time. Love your cars, maybe make a really nice movie with cars that tell the story , but do refrain from glorifying car theft, no matter how pressing the reasons are!