"SNAKE EYES" - THE HOUSE WINS

Ok, actually let’s stick with the theme of cops and robbers. Only this time the cops and the robbers are far more intertwined than before. Brian De Palma has a certain liking – and a flair – for convoluted stories where nothing is quite what it seems and surprises lurk around every corner. I find that his films start out like oh, any old film you can slap on after a tiring day at the office and chill to. Er no. You have to be alert and have your wits about you for this one. Not least because if you’re not following it, you will miss more than half the enjoyment, the best part of it for me is the way it all comes together. Ritchie Santoro (Nicholas Cage) is living the good life. He is a cop, with a wife, a son and a girlfriend. He has grown up in this town. He does what he likes, he rules the block, everyone knows him, life is basically one big day out, a really good time. Then, it is the night of the big fight. Not only is the fight itself big – it’s the world heavyweight championship – but it’s also big because the U.S. Secretary of Defense is attending the fight. And Ritchie’s childhood friend Kevin Dunne (Gary Sinse of CSI fame) is in charge of the security. It actually seems to be a party night like any other but then, an attempt is made on the Secretary of Defense’s life. Kevin seems to be in trouble because as the head of security he is the one whose career will be in line for this. This is when Ritchie steps in, to save his friend. But the deeper he gets into this affair the more convoluted everything around him seems to become. Evidently high politics and murder are an explosive mix… Ok, I loved this film on many different levels, but technically alone it was just brilliant. The opening tracking shot for example is quite legendary, it goes on and on for about ten minutes without a cut and is a joy to watch – if this kind of thing affords you joy that is, and to me it does. Secondly, De Palma doesn’t fail to amp up the suspense at any point. My particular favorites are flashbacks of different characters that are presented directly from the points of view of the character so when the switch happens you are never entirely sure whose point of view you are looking from until you here a chance remark or pass an opportune mirror. The energy of the film is absolutely mind-blowing and technically it is absolutely brilliant. I mean yeah, it’s the age-old story, good against evil etc. – and I still maintain that Mr. De Palma’s endings are a little too Hollywood for my liking but still. The film has so much going for it, it even cancels out this pet peeve =) P.S. For those confused by the title - it's a line from the film. The boxing match takes place in a large casino, hence the reference...