Film ● Mini-Review: The Long Kiss Goodnight

Title: The Long Kiss Goodnight

Director(s): Renny Harlin

Screenwriter(s): Shane Black

Released: 1996

Runtime: 2h

● Samantha (Geena Davis) is a teacher who lives with her partner Hal and eight-year-old daughter Caitlin. Eight years ago, she was found washed up on the beach, pregnant with Caitlin and suffering amnesia. The premise is a rip-off of Robert Ludlam’s The Bourne Identity and the plot even involves a CIA conspiracy.

● The initial plot progression is a little contrived but if one accepts that, then Samantha’s journey with private investigator Mitch (Samuel L. Jackson) to find the truth about her past is fun viewing.

● Most aspects of the film are balanced: the characters and plot are simple enough to be easy to follow but complex enough to be interesting; the pacing is tight and fast but not too fast; there is enough humor and action to be fun but also enough threats against our heroes and the tone dark enough to be moderately thrilling; and some over-the-top moments but not too many.

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This mini-review is part of the collection for Taken clones and derivatives.

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