Watching the Detectives

I had never seen this movie, but, based on a trailer I saw, I took a chance and bought it and I am very pleased with it and wondering why it went straight to DVD. I think it would have been successful if allowed to have a theater run. It is a romantic comedy, with emphasis on the comedy, which is a bit zany and over-the-top at times but the actors play it so well that the whole thing seems strangely plausible. All the actors, including the minor characters, are perfectly cast for their roles. The musical score is catchy and fun and goes well with the action. I have already watched the DVD several times and it is one of those movies that I can watch over and over. It has plenty of complexities so that I notice something new each time I watch it. I recommend this movie, especially if you are a fan of Lucy Liu , who gives an impressive performance as the funny and fearless femme fatale.

I understand why this film was never widely distributed. How it made it into production is amazing to begin with, not to mention attracting such talents as Murphy, Liu, and Burns.The beginning hooks you like an old Cary Grant/Katherine Hepburn flick, but it doesn't reel you in. We get much more background on Neil than we ever do on Violet and this is very unsatisfying. Their interchanges are more interesting than enlightening and do little to reveal much about what's really going on inside the "bored", albeit whacko, lead chick's brain.Murphy gives a great performance as a small-time video store owner (Neil) engrossed in classic flicks, but we never see the "inside" of Violet (Liu), a real-life femme fatale who wanders into his store one day. And we don't know if Neil ever sees the inside of Violet.Many scenes drag, do not move the characters along, or are not really pertinent to the plot. Character arcs are virtually nonexistent. If you see the movie once and try telling the story to someone, you'll find it difficult to do so.Bottom line - this could have been a really good movie. If Violet had, in fact, been a detective or an FBI agent and Neil had somehow become involved in her mission, we're talking future classic here. We're talking Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn.

I didn't enjoy the film much but it was different and watchable and that is a rare commodity. Maybe a 4 star or maybe a 3, I dunno so I choose 3. This isn't a great confident review, but it is a slightly confused very honest review. There. Ya know if there were thousands of reviews, I wouldn't of made a review, but there were only about 88 when I did this, so I feel slightly obliged to give an honest opinion, even if it is not sure. Maybe the review fits a romantic odd comedy that wasn't clear cut in a plot or point, but okay anyway. Okay.

I was surprised at some of the twists and turns. Lucy Liu is so cute and funny. She delivers her lines with perfect timing and maintains a mysterious quirkiness throughout the movie. It really wasn't the type of movie I usually watch to the end ,but I did because it was entertaining, with enough new information and unpredictability to keep me interested. Her co-star filled his part perfectly as well.

After reading some of the reviews here, I felt compelled to give my two cents for what it's worth. I thought this movie was very enjoyable to watch. No, it's not the cookie-cutter version of a detective movie that others are complaining it SHOULD have been!? And both actors worked brilliantly together.For those who like to take a walk on the wild side and just go with the flow, you will enjoy the unknown chaos that Liu's character brings to Murphy's universe, and his milque toast world IS shattered for the better IMO.The message here: LIVE life to its fullest, don't just passively watch it going by.

I laughed my butt off and really had fun. Yep, I thought it was going to be some kind of noir, but hey, I know where to go to see more noir. This was quirky, fun, and sexy. Live a little people.

1. cillian murphy2. lucy liu3. cillian murphy and lucy liu sharing a screen together???? HELLO

I saw a preview for this movie after searching for another movie Cillian Murphy was in on youtube (On The Edge). Anywho, I decided to watch the first part of the movie and then decided to order. It's definately a movie you'd want to order if you want a laid back, relaxing night. Its a comedy worth seeing. Though, I do think the ending could of been just a wee bit better, it was a good movie in all and I am glad I purchased it.

Excellent movie, so funny - LMAO.

キリアン・マーフィーの色々な表情が見れます：）ファン必見☆最高でした！

C>R>A>P> Not funnyAwful Waste of time.

This lovely romcom demonstrates the versatility of its cast, in particular Cillian Murphy. The relationship which develops between his character and Lucy Liu's is thoroughly engaging, from their first appearances as geeky, a wee bit timid, living vicariously, probably in a rut, girlfriend not working out Neil, to outrageous prankstress, Violet, whose lack of inhibition is her trademark. With some moments of doubt when her prank goes too far, he comes to realise that he's watching life instead of embracing adventure, and, despite his fears of a Thelma and Louise ending, goes for it. There's lots of onscreen chemistry between the two, and some wonderful minor characters and scenarios to keep the comedy and entertainment bowling along. And for those of us who love spending serious amounts of time watching movies, perhaps a cautionary but uplifting tale!

If you are looking for a bit of quirky fun and light entertainment, this is quite enjoyable. It's not one of Cillian Murphy's better films, but he gets plenty of screen time and is very watchable as the lovable loser Neil, movie buff and owner of a failing vhs rental store. As other reviewers have already stated, the scenes in the store with the other film fans are the highlights. Especially the Peter Sellers look alike is hilarious. However, it wasn't until the very end of the film that I could warm to Lucy Liu's character. She looks bewitching, but her pranks were just a bit too frequent and became rather grating. Then again, I loved the ending when it came. A definitely offbeat romcom that may well appeal to those who usually run a mile when the genre is mentioned.