Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett and Tom Sizemore
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors have made movies that shine as bright as Ralph Fiennes. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Fiennes has become an icon. Whether it is preachers, Nazi commanders or bold political leaders, Fiennes has always portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Fiennes’ greatest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has often had talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen time. Even when he’s not the central focus of a movie, Fiennes always leaves a lasting impression. An actor with bold commitment, Fiennes has proven a celebrated icon in entertainment. Although he is arguably best known for his iconic role as Voldemort in the Harry Potter franchise, Fiennes has proven he can make engaging films in every single genre. Throughout a long lasting career, Fiennes has made many memorable movies that definitely are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Fiennes and adore all the movies which he has created in his career. However, “Strange Days” is absolutely his most underrated work. Released in 1995, Kathryn Bigelow’s movie offered a strong portrait of criminals. Packed with brilliant visuals, engaging storytelling and superb acting, it’s one of the finest crime movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Ralph Fiennes, who plays an anxious cop facing tension. Ultimately, what makes “Strange Days” a classic is universal appeal. Unlike most sci-fi films, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. A mesmerizing science-fiction masterpiece, there are countless reasons why “Strange Days” is a film that’s worth watching.
Set in a futuristic setting, “Strange Days” tells the story of a cop that has bad days. Ralph Fiennes portrays Lenny Nero, a cop that engages lucrative trade of memories. Lenny has always excelled at doing his job which he loves dearly. However, Lenny’s life drastically changes when he faces pressure in his job causing disaster. Faced with a big dilemma, Lenny questions whether it’s truly possible to survive memory trauma. As he faces strange days, Lenny questions if it’s possible to survive a disaster that causes him to change his ways.
Kathryn Bigelow is fascinated with themes of espionage. A brilliant filmmaker, she has always made engaging movies about cops facing disaster. Her iconic film “Point Break” captured cops which face heartache. With “Strange Days”, however, she made her first science fiction movie. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture cops facing tragedy but she succeeded tremendously. Through bold cinematography, Bigelow captures a cop embarking upon a treacherous journey. Emulating John McTiernan’s “Die Hard”, the filmmaker expertly uses point of view shots to capture the lives of cops that experience adversity. For instance, POV shots enhance the memory discoveries scene. During this unforgettable scene, Lenny faces tensions when he uncovers memory problems in his operation. Using strong POV shots, Bigelow creates a portrait of cops that’s compelling. POV shots are tricky techniques. As Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” demonstrated, POV shots often enhance Holocaust movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Using strong visuals, Bigelow captures the tensions cops are facing.
Another powerful aspect of “Strange Days” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best sci-fi films ever made. Evoking Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner”, Bigelow effectively uses locations in Los Angeles to capture the lives of cops facing tensions. For instance, the L.A. locales elevate the confrontational scene. During this intense scene, Lenny has an intense confrontation with fellow cops in his city causing tensions. Using captivating locations in L.A., Bigelow creates a portrait of cops that’s compelling. Moreover, music is magnificent. Graeme Revell’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the tensions which cops bear. Through bold production, Bigelow captures the lives of cops that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Strange Days” is a science-fiction movie that’s compelling. The film is extremely well written, and expertly uses silence to capture the hardships which cops in dark cities are experiencing. For instance, silence elevates the cops farewell scene. During this intense scene, Nero faces a moment of silence as he discovers the consequences of his dire actions. Through silence. Bigelow creates a portrait of cops that audiences can relate to. Silence is a complex technique to use in films. As Anthony Minghella’s “The English Patient” suggested, silence enhances films that capture doomed love. Edward Berger’s “Conclave” proved silence enhances films about religion. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using an exceptional screenplay, Bigelow captures cops which experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Ralph Fiennes delivers one of his greatest performances as Lenny Nero. Fiennes first earned appreciations for playing evil Nazi officers in Holocaust films. With “Strange Days”, however, he took on his most tricky role. It isn’t simple to embody a cop which faces adversity but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With engaging expressions, he captures ambition, grief and resentments of a cope facing tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Ralph Fiennes, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of appreciation. Angela Bassett is amazing, capturing charisma of a feminist cop that experiences trauma. Tom Sizemore is terrific, capturing the charming personality of a cop that seeks memories he has grown to adore. Lastly, Juliette Lewis is unforgettable. As a strong woman, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “Strange Days” would earn praise of everyone for capturing cops facing strange days. Unlike most movies about dystopian science fiction worlds, it discusses themes everyone would relate to. It tackles powerful themes such as ambition, mental health and trauma which would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Strange Days” is one of those rare science fiction films everyone would adore.
Fans of Ralph Fiennes will absolutely enjoy “Strange Days” and so would audiences seeking engaging entertainment. A riveting science fiction blockbuster, it honours an iconic actor.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking science fiction film about cops that have strange days, it’s a brilliant reminder of a commemorated actor that’s achieved praise for his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable films that are appreciated by audiences in many ways.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 