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True Romance on DVD (1993)

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Average rating: 77%
111117920612
4.0
from 7,098 members
 
Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken
Director: Tony Scott
Studio: WARNER HOME VIDEO
Run time: 118 mins
Certificate: 18
User collections: Hidden Gems, a few personal favourites, Film fanatics fave films, Quentin Tarantino Films, Sweet and Sour, my top 10 films, The Greats Films Ever FULL STOP, Films I own and Love, The cool and uncool collection, Must have's
Genres: Action/Adventure
Languages: English
Released: 24/02/2003

Brief synopsis of True Romance

When inexperienced call girl Alabama Whitman (Patricia Arquette) is paid to seduce comic-book-nerd and Elvis fanatic Clarence Worley (Christian Slater), she doesn't expect to fall for him. But these two lost souls seem to be made for each other and quickly pledge their love, marrying at Detroit's city hall. Clarence discovers some newfound bravado and attempts to retrieve Alabama's possessions from her pimp, Drexl (Gary Oldman), who isn't exactly eager to let Alabama go. Fleeing Drexl's apartment, Clarence not only leaves a trail of bodies, but also inadvertently mistakes a suitcase of uncut cocaine for one with his wife's clothing, and the chase is on. The unlikely newlyweds head for Los Angeles hoping to sell the cocaine and make enough money to leave the country. Unfortunately, they also have to contend with the mob, yuppie drug dealers and the police. Michael Rapaport is amusing as Clarence's best friend who lives with Floyd, a stoner played by Brad Pitt. A sedate Dennis Hopper appears as Clarence's father, who ultimately faces off with mob boss Vincenzo Coccotti (Christopher Walken). Director Tony Scott (CRIMSON TIDE, ENEMY OF THE STATE) does justice to the violence and quirkiness of Quentin Tarantino's second feature film script.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

In this dark comedy thriller, movie-obsessed comic-store worker Christian Slater meets hooker Patricia Arquette and, after getting married then accidentally stealing a fortune in cocaine from her pimp Gary Oldman, they hit the rocky road to possible oblivion. Scriptwriter Quentin Tarantino blends Hong Kong gangster movie clichés, film noir revisionism, slick but ultra-heavy violence and a host of great star cameos to create an acid cocktail. Director Tony Scott's superb visual style is the icing on the cake.

Rating of 2 
	  stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

A clever, very violent, high-energy thriller, providing opportunity for striking cameos by a variety of actors as well as narrative twists that owe much to farce; the conclusion, a three-way stand-off, brings to mind a minor 30s screwball comedy, The H

Variety

"...Tony Scott's slick style is visually arresting....[The] entire film is an elegantly packaged affair on all levels..."

See all 6 Critics Reviews »

Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 starsI knew there was something rotten in Denmark

Ra from Abydos , 23/12/2003

This modern classic, written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott, is one of the best thrillers of modern times.

Christian Slater is perfect as the shy, Elvis obsessed Clarence, and Patricia Arquette is inspired as Alabama. Together they set out on a great adventure that sees them double cross just about everyone from the mob to Alabama's pimp, a white rastafarian played by Gary Oldman.

Special mention must be given for Dennis Hopper as Clarence's father, Christopher Walken as the Sicilian mobster on Clarence's tail, and James Gandolfini as a mob hardman. The scene where he interrogates Alabama is a shockingly powerful piece that will make your eyes water.

Tom Sizemore is excellent as a cop out to trap a drug dealing movie producer, and you should keep an eye out for Brad Pitt as a permanently stoned layabout, and Val Kilmer as Elvis.

As usual, Tarantino's ultra cool, street style dialogue is filled with memorable one liners, and everyone seems to relish working with such material and deliver top drawer performances.

Standout scene for me is when Christopher Walken interrogates Dennis Hopper about Clarence's whereabouts. In a classic scene that mixes violence with humour, the two men exchange in verbal sparring that is truly inspired, both knowing that Hopper's character is about to die either way. Class.

I urge you to see this film, it's a violent, energetic tour de force.

  29 out of 44 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsYet another masterpiece from Tarantino

A customer from Surrey, England , 31/03/2004

This film is brilliant. It left me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Cleverly written, directed and acted. So, if you're looking for a film to enjoy and to leave you thinking after watching it, choose this one. But if you're after a flat, bland, boring film; go somewhere else.

  15 out of 23 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsSo Cool

SteveBent SteveBent from Tring , 09/04/2007

When people talk about films appealing to your inner child they tend to mean ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ or ‘Charlie And The Chocolate Factory’ playing to your sense of wide eyed wonder.

Scott and Tarantino are forever 14 year old boys. And this film plays to the inner Comic book fixated, sexually frustrated rock and roll fan who loves to blow things up in all of us. Well, in me anyway.

  8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsSexy, violent and thrilling!

simon perry from Bristol , 11/07/2004

An all time classic, it's a shame all Quinten's films aren't as good, if you haven't seen it yet you are in for a treat, not one for the kids.

  8 out of 11 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 4 starsCheating, stealing and killing? Who would ever thought they would make a true romance?

Picktokyo Picktokyo from London, England [Highly rated reviewer] , 28/05/2008

Seriously, I never liked both of the main stars. However after I saw this movie, I begin to like them both. This movie is fantastic, wittily written made an arousing storyline and fantastic mood to the movie itself. Who thought stealing, cheating, and killing could be the instruments of a true romantic love movie?

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsProbably the best film Tarantino never made

Hooberrydooberry from Cambridgeshire , 18/07/2005

No-one could have written this tale better than Tarantino but I'm really glad someone else directed it because you really get the sense of the love story in this film while keeping the razor sharp dialogue and plot twists that are typical Quentster terriory.

The Elvis mentor stuff is a little lame but the story is perfection from start to finish. The Walken/Hopper eggplant scene is an actors masterclass - you feel the atmosphere change. Brad Pitt must see his performance as a peak.

Don't miss out on this. If you like the idea of Tarantino without the hammer on the head feeling you get after most of his films, you will adore this.

  3 out of 5 people found this review helpful
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