The movie is very direct, introducing all the main characters within only ten minutes and setting off the conflicts at hand. Each of these characters bear strong, forceful personalities, and are all quite dubious and unlikable in their own ways. Yaphet Kotto's titular character, a common criminal, is arguably the least of them, as we quickly learn of Bill's (Andrew Duggan) own underhanded duplicity, and Bernadette (Joyce Van Patten) is shrill and demanding. This is a crime film, and a dark comedy, but it's a pitch black and pointedly dry flavor of comedy far ahead of its time.
The construction of the film is notably jarring, with scenes or even singular shots of shocking, disparate imagery interspersed throughout at particular times. At its most vivid Gil Melle's score is discordant and sharp, while the sound mix seems orchestrated to exaggerate every slight noise and high-pitched tone of voice. Scenes of violence, cruelty, and lawlessness are juxtaposed with incongruously heartfelt, probing dialogue, building the acrid sense of humor. This is to say nothing of the surprising, blunt ways 'Bone' explores themes of race, marital strife, sexual gratification, and gender, and other upended expectations that further lend to the comedy.
Kotto, Duggan, and Van Patten are all outstanding, realizing their characters with brilliant sardonic jocularity. Much credit as well to the supporting cast, including prominent Jeannie Berlin and Brett Somers. Everyone involved gives astounding liveliness to roles that seem at once too ridiculous to be real and too real to be fictional, and there's sly nuance to the performances that's gratifying.
Larry Cohen has crafted a marvelously twisted tale of lawlessness and discord that far exceeds whatever we imagine it could be based on the premise. The progression of the narrative is as dazzling in the turns it takes as the pervasive accompanying humor is desperately dry. Production values leave a bit to be desired, yet for the story and the playfulness, the feature feels like it could have been made only a few short years ago. 'Bone' is a striking, entrancing crime comedy that bests many similar pictures of the decades since, and earns my heartiest recommendation.
The construction of the film is notably jarring, with scenes or even singular shots of shocking, disparate imagery interspersed throughout at particular times. At its most vivid Gil Melle's score is discordant and sharp, while the sound mix seems orchestrated to exaggerate every slight noise and high-pitched tone of voice. Scenes of violence, cruelty, and lawlessness are juxtaposed with incongruously heartfelt, probing dialogue, building the acrid sense of humor. This is to say nothing of the surprising, blunt ways 'Bone' explores themes of race, marital strife, sexual gratification, and gender, and other upended expectations that further lend to the comedy.
Kotto, Duggan, and Van Patten are all outstanding, realizing their characters with brilliant sardonic jocularity. Much credit as well to the supporting cast, including prominent Jeannie Berlin and Brett Somers. Everyone involved gives astounding liveliness to roles that seem at once too ridiculous to be real and too real to be fictional, and there's sly nuance to the performances that's gratifying.
Larry Cohen has crafted a marvelously twisted tale of lawlessness and discord that far exceeds whatever we imagine it could be based on the premise. The progression of the narrative is as dazzling in the turns it takes as the pervasive accompanying humor is desperately dry. Production values leave a bit to be desired, yet for the story and the playfulness, the feature feels like it could have been made only a few short years ago. 'Bone' is a striking, entrancing crime comedy that bests many similar pictures of the decades since, and earns my heartiest recommendation.