A solid thriller. Costner and Hackman on good form. The tension is skilfully ratcheted up, particularly after the slow-ish start (the first third of the movie establishes the groundwork but isn't that interesting in itself). The twists and turns are neatly handled and the plot sticks to the landing without losing itself to excessive silliness. Good stuff!

But that scene where Costner and Sean Young get it off in the back of the car to the smooth sounds of an 80's power ballad is amongst the most horrifically cliched 80's sex scenes you'll ever see in a movie. Just when it can't get any worse: the saxophone comes in! Thankfully it doesn't hijack the rest of the movie.

I usually don't mind the odd flaw as long as the movie mostly carries it off. This one almost did but the ending ruined most of the movie.

This is one of Kevin Costner's finer performances in my opinion although one of his first as a lead. He showed emotion which in later movies wasn't apparent. He played the jealous lover pretty well and Gene Hackman did a great job as usual in a part he normally plays, a senior Government Official (Defense Secretary) with a secret mistress. Will Patton seamlessly held the story together as the main protagonist and protector of the Defense Secretary's reputation. The homosexual overtones and affection for the DS were well played and so subtle as you could believe Gene Hackman's character wouldn't have picked up on it. Sean Young played her character a little OTT but this can be forgiven as I've noticed 80's movies tended to do this a lot and she was her usual brilliant self.

At times I felt the manic pace it built up was close to the action in 'Out of Time' (the one with Denzel Washington) but nicely constrained. The story was good, basically Defense Secretary (Hackman) accidentally kills his mistress (Young) and a cover up is conjured up by his secretary (Patton) using a cold war theme of a spy in the pentagon. Newly appointed Intelligence liaison (Costner) is put in charge of the investigation to find said spy who is blamed for the death. Costner started a relationship with Young which was unknown to Hackman. Read the review on IMDB to get to know more.

The problem was that there was no reason for the spy Yuri to kill Young. For this to be connected to the Pentagon a connection with the DS (or other high official) would need to be established and it wasn't. No one knew of the affair. And (SPOILER ALERT - you need to have seen the movie for the next pieces) at the end when Costner is exposed as a Russian Agent there was no reason given for why he was ordered to start the affair with Young. If it was for information from Hackman's character (as Defense Secretary) he never asked her anything which may have been a state secret. Up until his outing as a spy Costner acted like the jealous lover for no reason. He even tried to get her to break up with him which would be contrary to what a Russian spy would want. There was also a mention that Russia wasn't impressed by the Philippine's bag smuggled out with his underwear in it (when the young boy took off with his bag). What was supposed to be in it and was it for the Russians or for Young?

I guess I feel a little cheated that the story wasn't told well. Costner didn't do anything to suggest he was a plant by the Russians - so no WOW moment and even after finding out, there was no suggestion he was after any state secrets although the Submarine information may have been it, it wasn't obvious and it didn't come through the mistress but through normal channels and was played down.

Anyway, a middling movie with a questionable story line deserves a middling mark. Did I like it? Did I not? - a 5 from me.

Wow, as good as this was and it was only slightly above good, the ending I DID NOT SEE COMING FROM 50 MILES AWAY sold me all the way to a solid 8/10 stars.

Never saw this before tonight, but I've known of it since it came out. Probably never seen it because for the longest time I couldn't stand Kevin Costner. Then he made Dances with Wolves and I loved him. Then he made Waterworld and The Postman Back to Back, so I didn't like him again.

But, then I opened my eyes. Noticed him in so many other movies where he was basically perfect and I've been a Costner fan ever since. No way out of this last bond.

So, tonight, while looking for a political thriller - hopefully slow burn, I came across this title in my research. With the HIGH recommendation I found, plus Costner and an all-star cast of the late 80s, I watched it. I knew the basic-basic plot and began, subconsciously looking for clues as I'm accustomed to these late 80s thrillers.

Costner's high-ranking Naval Officer is having a relationship with Sean Young who also happens to be dating his newest boss, The Secretary of Defense. Easy peasy, but muddy. And then, bam, a wrench/twist is thrown in and Costner has to work with/around a coverup even though he might be a suspect, himself.

And that's like 40% of the story. Watch for the rest.

I was rewarded with what I needed: a slow-burn, political thriller. This is 100% that, until the inevitable and messy climax that 100% elevates this above expectations. Sorry I didn't see this sooner, but glad I finally did.

***

Final thoughts: #1 boy, I'm glad I changed my mind to Costner. He is one incredible, thoughtful and brilliant actor. #2, unrelated, half-way thru I wondered if Hackman is still alive. Fair question, he's been out of the spotlight for a while. He is, and also 90. 90! Sadly, Sean Connery JUST died yesterday, and he was 90. I know it's 2020 and aside from a possible positive that comes out of the November 3rd election in 2 days, nothing else comes out of 2020 safe. Here's to your health, Mr. Luthor!