agmtw logo
search
Out of Sight (1998)

Out of Sight (1998)

George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez turn the heat up in this suave and steamy crime caper

The Very Best

8.2

Movie

United States of America
English
Comedy, Crime, Romance
1998
STEVEN SODERBERGH
Albert Brooks, Betsy Monroe, Brad Martin
123 min

TLDR

They just don’t make ‘em like this anymore.

What it's about

A convicted bank robber on the run and the federal marshal hunting him down discover an unexpected spark that irrevocably complicates their plans.

The take

In the sexy, slick, and sharp-witted Out of Sight, a never-better George Clooney plays Jack Foley, a career bank robber who pulls off heists based on pure charm alone. His charisma is so powerful it even turns the cat-and-mouse game he plays with federal marshal Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez) into a seductive dance. Karen is no easy mark, though: she’s a tough agent who’s used to being underestimated by the men she works with. The sizzling connection that sparks between her and Jack is gripping precisely because it threatens to break the basic logic both live their lives by: he a slippery criminal, she a no-nonsense professional. Clooney and Lopez’s naturally electric chemistry is supercharged by the fact that the film never slips into sentimentality, always keeping their will-they-won’t-they amour at a tantalizing distance until the decisive moment. A crime caper with many strings to its bow — among them sizzling romance and brilliant dialogue brought to life by a dazzling supporting ensemble — this is a masterfully entertaining ride from director Steven Soderbergh.

What stands out

Two things: first, its Pulp Fiction-esque dual timelines (one in the film's present day, one two years prior), which are cleverly woven together by none other than Lawrence of Arabia editor Anne V. Coates. Second: the frankly unbelievable cast. Clooney’s star rose dramatically with his role here, but it’s arguably even more thrilling to see how well so many of the film's other casting decisions hold up. With its ranks bolstered by the likes of Viola Davis, Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle, Steve Zahn, Albert Brooks, Michael Keaton (reprising his role from Jackie Brown), and many more stars — including a wry cameo in the movie’s final scene — Out of Sight overflows with charisma.

Comments

Add a comment

Your name

Your comment

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

Once Were Warriors (1994)

A Maori family survives in an alienating Auckland in this raw, tragic drama

8.0

My Old Ass (2024)

A pleasant mix of comedy and coming-of-age that may or may not leave you in tears

8.0

Silenced (2011)

A brutal and harrowing exposé of the schoolwide abuse case that sparked outrage in Korea

9.0

The Substance (2024)

Demi Moore swaps bodies in this standout chaotic body dysmorphia horror

8.3

Barcelona (1994)

Two Americans splash out of water in this charming comedy of manners

7.2

My King (2015)

A lover heals her knee and her heart in this contemplative drama about co-dependency

7.0

The Guilty (2018)

A minimalist, razor-sharp thriller that will have you gasping for air.

9.0

We Live in Time (2024)

A fullhearted non-linear romantic drama that reminds us to cherish time together

7.3

Dinner in America (2022)

A punk rock romance that, like the genre, is rough around the edges but actually sweet inside

7.5

His Three Daughters (2024)

Three sisters deal with life and death in this moving family portrait

8.2

Curated by humans, not algorithms.

agmtw logo

© 2024 agoodmovietowatch, all rights reserved.