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| DIRECTED BY |
| Steven Soderbergh |
| STARRING |
| Terence Stamp |
| Peter Fonda |
| Lesley Ann Warren |
| Luis Guzm�n |
| Nicky Katt |
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When �The Limey� appears to be a study of a man�s regretful past and his efforts to bring justification to the murder of his daughter � the one bit of fond nostalgia that he seems to have � it is a special film. The sequences developing this theme involve beautifully composed flashbacks, interspersed with tight close-ups on Terence Stamp�s withered countenance � which is exceptionally emotive here despite his stoicism.
And then there�s the all-too-familiar revenge plot, which is comprised of Stamp as the anti-hero former criminal seeking out revenge on Peter Fonda�s character, who ostensibly murdered his daughter. Director Steven Soderbergh manages to create some interesting filmic techniques within this cliched storyline, however � switching between many different angles during characters� conversations and employing a somber, affective soundtrack during just the right moments. The disjointed editing does take some getting used to, but it is creative. And then there�s Edward Lachman, who is now perhaps the most consistently stellar cinematographer working in the industry today and his impressive camera work (notably in the initial �lone gunman� sequence.)
Through it all though, �The Limey� is, indeed, a film with a conventional storyline. And, predictably enough, the story�s familiarity does cause the film�s pace to lag a little after the pool-playing hitmen characters are introduced. But it�s also executed with a kind of professional, workmanlike creativity and with enough enthusiasm to lead up to a surprisingly touching final scene.
