Just saw this and it was great. As usual I can see both sides' points but I was genuinely fooled. I think roger just wanted the women to become lovers. Hahaha.
They SHOULD have been lovers! You can't tell me that if Winger's character had been played by a man, they wouldn't have. But hey: 1987. H'wood not ready to have their Oscar winners (as Winger already was) Go There...
@@tgflux I think you're right. Haha. Definitely would've happened in today's film world. I'm glad you commented because it reminded me that i had even seen the movie. I forgot all about it. Haha. But also, btw, what caught my eye was the Oscar winner mention. I had an idea she had never won. If she had, I'd have recalled it. As far as i can tell, she never won.
On the whole, I really liked Black Widow. I thought the erotic tension between Alex (Winger) and Renee (Russell) was so palpable you could almost touch it. The problem I had with the film is that it seemed huge chunks were either edited out or not shot at all. Many of the plot developments felt rushed and tacked on. I would have liked more detail on how Alex was able to track down Renee, which was undoubtedly a much more involved process than what we see. I would have also liked more character development between the two of them. Where the film really came up short was in the last 15 minutes. So much happens in such a short amount of screen time that it seemed almost like the production ran out of money and they were trying to wrap things up as quickly as possible. In the final scene (which contains a "surprise" ending that was not remotely surprising), a female character shows up whom Renee hasn't seen in years and is greeted with an offhand 'hello' as though the two had seen each other five minutes ago. Furthermore, what was she doing there anyway? Did Alex contact her to make a positive identification? Too many unanswered questions, which having more movie would have helped clarify. Still and all, worth seeing just for Theresa Russell and Debra Winger. I'd have given it three stars, which means it would have gotten a thumbs-up.
Really Good movie... Theresa Russell was GREAT actress being the "Black Widow", BUT ... 🤔 ((in many reviews)) ' Debra Winger got the highest praise as best actress ?? 👎 Wrong ! Theresa Russell should've gotten that praise.👍
It’s a solid film premise, and I ultimately did like it. I disagree that the film should’ve taken a cynical twist ending because audiences would’ve hated it and it undermines the motivations of the main character logically. It was about catching the black widow, not becoming one.
Ebert hit it even harder in his written review later on. The movie threw away a fantastic kinky and 'wow inducing' plot twist drawing these two women together and went for a forgettable ending.
Loved watching S&E. I remember agreeing with Gene 99.9% of the time. Black Widow is a good movie. Well made. Takes you on a ride without treating you like a dingleberry.
Same here! I disagreed with Roger, not always, but more often than any other critic. And, on his website, I find that he’s far too generous with his 4 star ratings.
Ronald Bass (Rain Man) wrote the screenplay; Bob Rafelson (Five Easy Pieces) directed the film; Conrad L. Hall (Road to Perdition) shot it; Debra Winger (Terms of Endearment), Dennis Hopper (legendary actor from Blue Velvet and Hoosiers) and Theresa Russell (Bad Timing) starred in it... On the page this must have looked like a can't miss.
This was the type of movie that needed a _third_ category: Thumbs up, Thumbs down, & (3rd) *Wait For the Video* . It's watchable, but not worth theater & snack prices. Blockbuster & Tower Video stores would have loved that third category.
That's why I prefer going to the movies in the winter. It's less expensive because you can sneak in snacks and drinks in your winter coat. Only buy popcorn at concessions.
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I LOVE this film; so psychological, and I think both women are great here
It's a good movie.
wow siskel and ebert travelled 33 years into the future to review this
One of my favorites.
Just saw this and it was great. As usual I can see both sides' points but I was genuinely fooled. I think roger just wanted the women to become lovers. Hahaha.
They had an attraction.
The film would've been SO MUCH better if they had.
Yeah. Ebert wanted to get perved out like his script for Return to the Valley of the Dolls which he was defiantly proud of.
They SHOULD have been lovers! You can't tell me that if Winger's character had been played by a man, they wouldn't have. But hey: 1987. H'wood not ready to have their Oscar winners (as Winger already was) Go There...
@@tgflux I think you're right. Haha. Definitely would've happened in today's film world. I'm glad you commented because it reminded me that i had even seen the movie. I forgot all about it. Haha.
But also, btw, what caught my eye was the Oscar winner mention. I had an idea she had never won. If she had, I'd have recalled it. As far as i can tell, she never won.
On the whole, I really liked Black Widow. I thought the erotic tension between Alex (Winger) and Renee (Russell) was so palpable you could almost touch it. The problem I had with the film is that it seemed huge chunks were either edited out or not shot at all. Many of the plot developments felt rushed and tacked on. I would have liked more detail on how Alex was able to track down Renee, which was undoubtedly a much more involved process than what we see. I would have also liked more character development between the two of them. Where the film really came up short was in the last 15 minutes. So much happens in such a short amount of screen time that it seemed almost like the production ran out of money and they were trying to wrap things up as quickly as possible. In the final scene (which contains a "surprise" ending that was not remotely surprising), a female character shows up whom Renee hasn't seen in years and is greeted with an offhand 'hello' as though the two had seen each other five minutes ago. Furthermore, what was she doing there anyway? Did Alex contact her to make a positive identification? Too many unanswered questions, which having more movie would have helped clarify.
Still and all, worth seeing just for Theresa Russell and Debra Winger. I'd have given it three stars, which means it would have gotten a thumbs-up.
The show Killing Eve ripped off this movie.
Really Good movie... Theresa Russell was GREAT actress being the "Black Widow", BUT ... 🤔 ((in many reviews)) ' Debra Winger got the highest praise as best actress ?? 👎 Wrong ! Theresa Russell should've gotten that praise.👍
I agree with Siskel, it's a great movie!
Great movie! Then again, any movie with Debra Winger is fantastic. A beautiful down to earth girl. Sorry - back to the movie: Awesome!
Agree with Roger not a good movie.
It’s a solid film premise, and I ultimately did like it. I disagree that the film should’ve taken a cynical twist ending because audiences would’ve hated it and it undermines the motivations of the main character logically. It was about catching the black widow, not becoming one.
Agree with Siskel, absolutely love this fim AS IS.
Right on Gene, totally agree with you. Never saw the ending coming.
Ebert hit it even harder in his written review later on. The movie threw away a fantastic kinky and 'wow inducing' plot twist drawing these two women together and went for a forgettable ending.
Ebert loves kinky
Left me wanting more. I wanted to see the trial.
I liked this movie alot.
I love Ebert dancing around saying "I wanted the women to hook up, okay?" Also, big same, Rog.
good movie
I've seen this movie a few times and never quite understood all the dynamics involved in the ending. Can someone explain exactly what happened?
Due to the quality of the recording Ebert s face appears to have ketchup all over his face. Thar or he didnt clean himself after lunch.
Did Gene have a sore throat on this taping day?
Yes
Loved watching S&E. I remember agreeing with Gene 99.9% of the time. Black Widow is a good movie. Well made. Takes you on a ride without treating you like a dingleberry.
Now tell me what a dingleberry is. Lol
Same here! I disagreed with Roger, not always, but more often than any other critic. And, on his website, I find that he’s far too generous with his 4 star ratings.
Ebert and Siskel really loved Scarlett and felt Black Widow as a great edition the Marvel universe.
She is Black Widow’s mum
very entertaining film and rewatchable as well
Ronald Bass (Rain Man) wrote the screenplay; Bob Rafelson (Five Easy Pieces) directed the film; Conrad L. Hall (Road to Perdition) shot it; Debra Winger (Terms of Endearment), Dennis Hopper (legendary actor from Blue Velvet and Hoosiers) and Theresa Russell (Bad Timing) starred in it... On the page this must have looked like a can't miss.
He never said it was a bad movie
Not the one starring Scarlett Johansson.
Debra Winger version 100% better!
very good movie
I thought it was a pretty good movie. It wasn't as obvious as the overrated The Jagged Edge. Plus Theresa Russell was great and she was smoking 🔥 hot!
I feel sorry foe Theresa Russell having to kiss Debra Winger.
Richard Gere even went further with her in Officer/ Genleman. But not as far as he went with his gerbil!
This was the type of movie that needed a _third_ category:
Thumbs up, Thumbs down, & (3rd) *Wait For the Video* . It's watchable, but not worth theater & snack prices. Blockbuster & Tower Video stores would have loved that third category.
What a great idea!
That's why I prefer going to the movies in the winter. It's less expensive because you can sneak in snacks and drinks in your winter coat. Only buy popcorn at concessions.
The problem is Ebert you should not be a CRITIC.