Stormy Monday [DVD]

Noir is not a 2nd or even 3rd choice genre for me. Generally I find it to be rather slow moving and "when is something going to happen?" Stormy Monday fell into this generality, but like others of the genre that I have seen, it held my interest enough to keep me watching, waiting for the something to happen. When it was all said and done, I had a hard time deciding, "3 stars [noir doesn't rock my boat] or 4?" I gave it 4 stars simply because the rollover for 3 is "it's ok" and for 4 is "I like it," and I liked it. The story-line, almost 30 years later, is a bit cliched but in the '60s my father maintained "no one has written anything original since Shakespeare," (which I still believe) so cliched isn't much of a problem for me (hell, even Star Wars, which I love, isn't really sci-fi, it's 'soap opera in space'). I thought Melanie Griffith's, Tommy Lee Jones', and Sting's performances were solid and the soundtrack was great -- I loved BB King and Lucille playing "(Call It) Stormy Monday" during the closing credits.

...This is a gangster movie with a twist. Alongside Tommy Lee Jones and Melanie Griffiths you find Sting ( carrying coals to Newcastle indeed) and Sean Bean. The plot is pretty straightforward, mafia boss comes to do a deal on Tyneside and tries to get rid of the minor obstacles in the process. The movie goes along a la Long Good Friday but without the mystery and menace. Gratuitous violence is liberally sprinkled around as are the shots of the city. Nowhere in the movie do we have a shot of the city of Gateshead located on the opposite bank of the river where the Michael Caine movie, Get Carter was filmed, but the movies themselves have some similarities.In the end Sting and Sean win the day...All in all an enjoyable gangster flick with a Geordie accent. Has a lot in common with that Geordie TV series Spender starring Jimmy Nail with incidental music by my old friend Tony MacAnaney also worth watching if it is ever shown in your area.

I am so happy to find this DVD. I love Sting and Jean Bean. Great movie.

The strength of this film is great characters, unexpected plot twists, and the intimate, 'unstaged' feel of the production, which allows you to sink into the story. The plot is interesting, with lots of fun coincidences and twists. It all takes place over the course of two days (the final day being "Stormy Monday"?) It centers on a couple of average working class single people (Bean and Griffith) in an English neighborhood, who coincidentally meet and find that they are caught up in a web of crime and political intrigue centering on a jazz club, where Bean, a jazz music fan, has just begun working. You'll probably know within the first 10 minutes whether the film suites your tastes.

The story was good, coherent, and had a good ending. All of the acting was terrific...if only they didn't have that awful band sound interrupting some of the conversation! The direction/editing kept the story going at a good pace. It did require a bit of extrapolation to fill in the blanks, but generally the script was very consistent. The actors were so good that the pairings & the plot seemed natural. I didn't really understand why a business transaction for one place required extra "pressure" from the prospective buyer, but maybe that's what happens when a crazy businessman wants something he can't get. Perhaps it was more about politics as he had some fake celebration occurring with senators, gratuities, women & hit men. A great image of Americans buying themselves into what they want plastering the flag everywhere. It had nothing to do with diplomacy & relations between countries just the Narcissist getting his way. Rather timely.

Interesting noir set in England and somewhat in the same flavor as Michael Caine's terrific "Get Carter", not as gritty and not B&W but the same type of "What the Hell is really going on here?" plot with a very different ending. Tommy Lee and Melanie are in their usual 80's typecast characters, so no stellar or surprising performances to be found here, it is the story line that has the "best performance" claim here. Nevertheless odds are much better than even you will make it through without falling asleep, but this is not one you will cruise eBay for the VHS or want to watch once a year.

I saw this movie way before I even understood English (and I am still learning). Is this movie's fault why I now love everything British. The acting is good but not great and the storyline a bit cheesy but it is intriguing. Love Sean Bean on this role, he looks so innocent and lost and Sting's role has that English charm that I can't simply get enough of. Melanie Griffith and Tommy Lee Jone's performance superb as always. Highly recommended to be watched with a nice scotch on the rocks at hand.

I've always liked this movie from back in the day. I kept watching for it to come out on Bluray, finally it did, I bought it here...when it arrived new & shrink-wrapped both discs inside were Region B, but the case says they should be Region A discs. I can't play them on my player. They sit collecting dust. It's past return.It is what some call boring...no car chases, gun fights, super heroes, aliens, or military excursions. It is slower, it is quieter. It's an easy plot. You watch this one for late night atmosphere, when you're in a chill mood & want to see a little England and some decent actors in their earlier years.

'Stormy Monday' is one of those films that isn't as well known as it deserves to be. It is a slow paced thriller and a rather simple plot with a few twists and turns in it.What makes this movie special is it's excellent atmosphere that instantly absorbs you in, you can almost imagine that you are enjoying a nice evening out on the town whilst watching some scenes, complete with a wonderful Jazz soundtrack. The characters are all interesting, and the casting is superb. Sting, a more than capable actor is fantastic as the club owner Vinnie, who is very confident in the role, the lovely Melaine Griffin is perfect as this film noir's femme fatal, and Tommy Lee Jones and Sean Bean, who were rather unknown actors at the time are also good, particularly Lee Jones who gives a powerful performance as the American businessman with enough money to burn. Sting's wife is played by former Bond girl and future 'Coronation Street' star Prunella Gee.The movie was filmed in Newcastle, a great location and the views of the River Tyne are beautiful. 'Stormy Monday' was Mike Figgis' first feature film and a stunning debut from him. Even now, this must surely still be considered as one of his finest achievements.Note: The DVD also includes an interesting, exclusive director's commentary of the film.

Quick delivery at at low cost. I remember this film being made in Newcastle and know some of the cast. A slow burn but well worth sticking with it. Quality of picture is acceptable but we have got used to a sharp image.

A nostalgic visit to my home town. Restored version on Blu ray is worth the money alone, but that said the movie is not great. Roger Deakin's photography is impeccable, but the acting is flaky in places. Tommy Lee Jones looks unhappy most of the time and given the critics comments at time, he probably was.

This is such a superb video l can hardy stop watching it again and again. It has very obsorbing story line and is very stylish and the acting is first class. In fact this is one of best films I have ever seen. If anyone buys this they will not be disappointed but would be glad.

Saw this years ago at the cinema and it stands up very well. A good, taut little thriller.