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| Directed by Simon West; Starring John Travolta, Madeleine Stowe, James Woods, James Cromwell, Timothy Hutton, Clarence Williams III, Rick Dial, Boyd Kestner, and Leslie Stefanson |
Simon West, well well well. I think that one of the things that most mark my criticism is my hatred for directors under the Jerry Bruckheimer pay roll. Whether Michael Bay (The Rock, Armageddon) or Simon West (Con Air), I’m in a constant battle against these action directors that know nothing better than loud explosions and bad acting. The only exception would be Tony Scott, who under Bruckheimer and his late co-producer Don Simpson, made the terrific Crimson Tide and the enjoyable Enemy of the State. Now Simon West is at it again. Normally I would be cringing a little more at his name, but at least this time it is not Bruckheimer producing.
West gives the most by the book direction of the year of one of the most enjoyable scripts of the year. The General’s Daughter is set around the murder and could be rape of the title character (Stefanson). It seems that this seemingly well rounded girl has some skeletons in her closet (actually much more than skeletons when we do delve into her closet). Things wouldn’t be as bad for Army investigators Paul Brenner and Sara Sunghill (Travolta and Stowe) if it was not for the fact that if all her secrets were to get out immediately, it would tarnish the future political career of her father General “Fighting Joe” Campbell (Cromwell). The film goes through many suspects before settling down on about 5 for the most part red herrings.
The script is exquisitely done polished up by sarcastic scribe William Goldman. His dialogue in scenes involving Travolta and Woods are terrific and make the film run fluidly. Another plus to the film is its use of music, supervised by Coen brothers favorite Carter Burwell (Fargo, Gods and Monsters). The big problem with the film is that West just cannot direct. The scenes of drama are too edgy and the scenes of action are way too edgy. Another problem with the film is that it does not seem to know exactly where it is going. I thought that there would be a nice last act telling all, no there are 3 last acts, all of which seem to be just as lost as the previous one. In a weird way I’d almost like to give The General’s Daughter a recommendation, but the fact of the matter is that the script cannot save the film from its own mistakes.
