Whether you like the movie or not, the chance to see the seaside ruins of Tulum and the astronomical temple of Chichen Itza is worth it. No one apparently had been allowed to film there before. And Jane Greer is great as the quietly wicked mother of Ms. Ward. 5/5 Too Hot to Handle by Stephanie DePue (Carolina Beach, NC USA) Expert opinion says that since the advent of color film, a good contemporary noir film is an L.A. noir film; that seems to be largely so, except then you've got "Body Heat," set in Florida. Be that as it may, "Against All Odds" is an LA noir film: it profits from the unique atmosphere of Los Angeles, the sinister corruption behind the sunny smile; the reality of arid desert behind the wastefully-watered green lawn. And most particularly, the parched, penned-up ill-respected Los Angeles River that features in Roman Polansky's mythic "Chinatown, and "in "The Narrows," one of Michael Connelly's recent books. The river also, of course, features in that well-known teenage film noir,"Grease," in which John Travolta and his all-singing, all-dancing fool friends stage their drag race in the river's concreted bed, graced by only the merest trickle of water. The Los Angeles River: Ignored until it rampages. "Against All Odds" is a loose 1980's remake of Robert Mitchum's film noir, "Out of the Past." Jane Greer. femme fatale of the earlier film, plays mother to Rachel Ward, this film's femme fatale. Richard Widmark, important player in many earlier films noir, is on hand here too, in a small but critically important part. The plot is set in motion when Jake Wise,(James Woods), well-connected nightclub owner and man of many parts, sets his old friend, used-up former pro football player Terry Brogan (Jeff Bridges), to find and return his runaway girlfriend Jessie Wyler (Rachel Ward), hiding somewhere in Mexico. For starters, Mexico, Bridges and Ward have never looked hotter, the Ward-Bridges sex scenes are too darn hot, and the seemingly mandatory confusing LA real estate corruption subplot doesn't stop the main story line cold too often. The film was ably directed by Taylor Hackford, and the three principals carry their roles. There's also a flavorful supporting cast: Swoosie Kurtz, Saul Rubinek, Alex Karras, Dorian Harewood. "Against All Odds" is a bit dated, stuck in the '80's, and it's not the greatest noir story ever told, but it offers a lot of visual heat. It also delivers on the emotional heat meter, at least to me: true to noir conventions, nobody gets what they want, surely not Terry Brogan, who realizes, belatedly, that Jessie Wyler is literally too hot for him to handle,and he's going to have to leave her to her rich, powerful mother. Yes, it's been done before, possibly better, but "Against All Odds" stands and delivers on its own, and is worth a look-see. 5/5 Jeff Bridges at his best by No actor has ever looked more sexy on film than Jeff Bridges does here. His chiseled physique, his tousled hair, and all his graceful movements and facial expressions kept me riveted to his presence throughout like I've never been with any other actor in any other film.
Despite some flaws, Against All Odds is a good film and visually beautiful. Jeff Bridges and James Woods put in great performances, as usual, and Rachel Ward's performance was really not bad for a model-turned-actress. Having Jeff and James to play against helped elevate her performance, I'm sure.
Jeff Bridges has always been one of my favorite actors. He was especially stellar in Fearless and The Fabulous Baker Boys, and though I've always considered him to be a handsome man, I never realized just how beautiful and sexy he was capable of being until I rented Against All Odds. It's worth seeing for that reason alone. 5/5 Great DVD transfer!!!!!! by Michael Pettinato (U.S.A.) I have always liked this film, but felt that it was poor quality on VHS, but now with DVD, it looks brand new, I hesitated, but bought it & it shines on DVD!!!!!, & is loaded with extras, the film stars Jeff Bridges as a down-on-his-luck football player who winds up being let go, like many, he is in over his head & needs money, James Woods is the answer to his problems so it seems, Woods hires his somewhat friend to find his girlfriend(Ward) who has fled to Mexico to escape his wrath, Bridges reluctantly agrees, & eventually finds her only to fall in love with her, the love scenes are steamy to say the least, but eventually she flees back to Woods after a mishap befalls her & Bridges, once back in L.A., Bridges is then hit with all kinds of mishaps involving blackmail that could destroy him & ultimately Woods, the movie then switches gears as Woods & Bridges try desperately to out do one another, it is clear that a love tri-angle is apparent in that Woods somehow senses Ward's desire for Bridges, this is the kind of movie that the viewer has to follow closely to understand what is going on, it is well-directed in that it keeps you guessing, with real-estate deals that may or may not be fraudelent, with Bridges, Woods, & Ward caught up in the mix, again, you really have to follow the story, with great sceneries in Mexico & L.A., this is truly a great film & probabaly one of Bridges & Woods best. Highly Recommended!!!!!!!! 5/5 Must buy DVD! by Mike D (edmond, ok United States) What a great DVD a must buy for anyone who like's great movies on DVD packed with tons of extra feature's along with one of the best audio commentaries on DVD. the film is a good love story/drama/action a little of everything the mexican location's are pretty, and James Woods & Jeff Bridge's acting is top notch. The extra's and deleted scenes and commentaries are the best parts and make this film even better. Director taylor Hackford & James Woods with Jeff Bridges make the track very interesting and very funny,get this DVD and treasure this gem!
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