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Who Is Cletis Tout? 2002 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Chris Ver Wiel
R, 95 min. (language, some violence, sexuality) |
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Starring: Tim Allen, Christian Slater, Richard Dreyfuss, Portia De Rossi, Billy Connolly
Producers: Matthew Grimaldi, Daniel Grodnik, Robert Snukel, Eric Sandys
Screenplay: Chris Ver Wiel
Distributor: Paramount Classics
Released: 7/26/02 (Limited) |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
Who Is Cletis Tout? comes across as a cross between a Tarantino film and a simple 1950's action/romantic comedy. Because
it references so many other films during its running length, one begins to wonder if the film is a parody of other simpler
films, or a more in-depth study of the conformity of motion pictures in general. It's lack of definitive reason for existing
leaves the film short on quality but long on entertainment. Watching these characters unfold predictably is interesting
not because they've already given the viewer the template, but because it's fun to watch how they eventually fit the
roles that the audience expects them to. That doesn't mean Who Is Cletis Tout? is recommendable, but it's at least
a passing fancy.
The story is told in quasi-flashback fashion. We meet hitman Critical Jim (Tim Allen), who has captured Trevor (Christian
Slater) who he thinks is Cletis Tout, a photographer who has been targeted by the mob because he possesses incriminating
evidence of a murder. Jim loves movies, so much so that he implores Trevor to craft a nice story for him while he waits
for his wire transfer to come in before he shoots him. Trevor, it just so happens, has a whopper of a story good enough
for Hollywood, as he begins his tale of mistaken identity. After escaping prison with partner Micah (Richard Dreyfuss), a
thief, they head out to recover hidden diamonds that only Micah knows the location of. His daughter, Tess (Portia de Rossi),
a tempestuous but charming smart-ass, and her carrier pigeons become Trevor's new partner when Micah is mistakenly
shot by the mob, who is looking for Cletis, who they believe is Trevor. Since they find the buried diamonds inside a
penitentiary, Trevor uses the police for cover in prison while he retrieves the jewels. The only problem now is escaping
the mob and Jim's current clutch on his freedom.
Director Chris Ver Wiel lacks the polish that makes this type of film successful, but he does coax some decent performances
from his cast that makes the picture watchable. Although Allen's incessant references to lines of dialogue in other films
becomes tiresome, his combination of flair for the material and a sense of ironic justice for Slater's character is delightful.
If Slater is, as usual, a bit out of his element here, the beautiful Portia de Rossi carries him through the rough spots. de Rossi
has a warmth about her that translates well on screen, and her ability to invigorate others in the cast makes her a welcome
addition to this flimsy film.
One begins to wonder why Ver Wiel pushes style over substance here, since the story on its own would be sufficient to
its already competent premise. There's simply too many stylistic choices over simplistic, straightforward storytelling that
hinders the film's overall direction. While it's interesting to watch the story unfold, unnecessary cuts and Tarantino-like
techniques eventually sap the charisma from an already faltering last act. To add insult to injury, we surely don't need
Critical Jim informing the audience when each act of the film is transpiring. Who Is Cletis Tout? is a misfire, but not
a completely devoid effort.
© 2002 Jonathan Cornwell
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 |
 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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