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Movies / On DVD / U-Turn
U-Turn

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U-Turn (1997)

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Reviews Counted:44

Fresh:24

Rotten:20

Average Rating:5.9/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 5 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: A noirish departure for issue-oriented director Oliver Stone, U-TURN stars Sean Penn as Bobby, a gambler on the run who has the misfortune to have his radiator hose blow in a godforsaken Arizona... A noirish departure for issue-oriented director Oliver Stone, U-TURN stars Sean Penn as Bobby, a gambler on the run who has the misfortune to have his radiator hose blow in a godforsaken Arizona hole-in-the-wall. He quickly meets the stunning Grace McKenna (Jennifer Lopez), and they go to her place to become better acquainted. When her husband, real estate king Jake (Nick Nolte), catches the two together in the bedroom, they fight, but at a later meeting, he proposes that Bobby kill his wife for a reasonable sum. At first the gambler turns him down, but when all his money is torn to shreds in a freak accident, he realizes that he won't be able to get his car fixed unless he goes along. Grace's considerable charm, combined with her account of the mistreatment she's suffered at her husband's hands, dissuades Bobby from the job. But she now offers him the same deal to kill Jake. To add to his problems, Bobby is being hawked by the suspicious sheriff (Powers Boothe) and has been targeted by local badass Toby (Joaquin Phoenix), who thinks Bobby is after his girlfriend, Jenny (Clare Danes). Penn turns in a fine performance in this overripe noir, and the photograpy is excellent. The film is based on the excellent short novel STRAY DOGS by John Ridley, who also served as one of the film's producers. [More]

Starring: Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Bob Thornton

Starring: Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Bob Thornton, Powers Boothe, Claire Danes, Joaquin Phoenix, Jon Voight, Abraham Benrubi, Julie Hagerty, Bo Hopkins, Valeri Nikolayev, Laurie Metcalf, Liv Tyler

Director: Oliver Stone

Director: Oliver Stone
Producer: Dan Halsted, John Ridley
Story: John Ridley
Screenwriter: John Ridley
Composer: Ennio Morricone

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Mar 31, 1998

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for U-Turn

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z)
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It's an exciting ride, but won't appeal to everyone.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
01/01/00
Walter V. Addiego
Walter V. Addiego
San Francisco Examiner

The film takes so many detours that at least one or two of them are bound to surprise even the most jaded movie-goer.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Good ol' Oliver Stone. He just can't seem to tell a story without diverging into some unnecessarily seamy territory.

Full Review Source: SPLICEDWire | comment Comment
01/01/00
Rob Blackwelder
Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire

If you want to see U TURN precisely for Stone's individual stamp on the work, you probably won’t be disappointed

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Shane Burridge
Shane Burridge
rec.arts.movies.reviews

A sometimes uproarious minor work.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Mike Clark
Mike Clark
USA Today
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

One of Stone's best narrative, and thought-provoking, efforts to date.

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
04/09/05
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

Bizarre, somewhat baffling, but nonetheless intriguing and warped entertainment for anyone brave enough to tackle it.

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

This is a repetitive, pointless exercise in genre filmmaking -- the kind of movie where you distract yourself by making a list of the sources.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's a feast for the senses, as long as you have a strong stomach.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
08/04/09
Blake French
Blake French
Filmcritic.com

What makes this film work, however, isn't really its well-oiled familiar movie mechanisms (plot, character, motivation): it's plain enough that Stone knows how to make a picture.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia City Paper | comment Comment
01/01/00
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
Philadelphia City Paper

Stone's trademark techniques -- fast cuts, multiple images, mixed film stocks, odd film speeds, weird angles -- overtake the film.

Full Review Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jack Garner
Jack Garner
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Stone the propagandist was insufferable, but as a cynic he's even worse.

Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Michelle Goldberg
Michelle Goldberg
Salon.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This long, strange trip is fun but aimless.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
07/25/07
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

It's a disappointing ride.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
04/25/03
Rick Groen
Rick Groen
Globe and Mail
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Stone's constant hammering at the audience with style over substance is bound to alienate most moviegoers.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Chris Hicks
Chris Hicks
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

A fun movie.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
01/01/00
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

a mostly wasted effort in exploiting a well-tread genre

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
02/27/01
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

With brilliant photography and inventive camerawork, Stone gives a really interesting feel to the story.

Full Review Source: Montreal Film Journal | comment Comment
09/10/02
Kevin N. Laforest
Kevin N. Laforest
Montreal Film Journal

Stone and screenwriter John Ridley have fun spinning the ultimate hard-luck story, with a cast that seems to relish taking things well over the top.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
01/01/00
Kevin Lally
Kevin Lally
Film Journal International

It demonstrates a filmmaker in complete command of his craft and with little control over his impulses.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Mick LaSalle
Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z)
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Latest News for U-Turn

August 09, 2006: Critical Consensus: A Brave New "World," A "Step" Down, And No Screenings for "Pulse" and "Zoom"
This week at the movies, we've got Oliver Stone paying tribute to the heroes of 9/11 ("World Trade Center," starring Nicolas Cage); two youngsters trying to start a... More...

April 28, 2005: Oliver Stone to Introduce a New "Night Watchman"
The Hollywood Reporter brings news of filmmaker Oliver Stone's next project, which is the long-discussed, frequently delayed "Night Watchman." Based on an earlier... More...

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