In the nineties in Hollywood were able to shoot wonderful thrillers! Remember the Final Analysis, the Basic Instinct, the Primitive Fear. But this picture is absolutely undeservedly not so well known.
To shoot an outstanding thriller, you do not need seas of blood, you do not need a villain who inspires fear in the soul. Important plot, extraordinary idea. It is important that during the entire viewing the viewer had a question in his head. And most of all, the finale is important - as the hero of the wonderful film "Secret Window", the writer Mort Rainey, said. It’s very easy to ruin a great movie with the ending. The ending here is great. It is in full harmony with the general line of the narrative, because it is such an impulsive step that you expect from a sociopath when he is not led by an intelligent and calculating leader.
Among the actors, I especially want to highlight Bill Pullman, the performer of the role of Andy Safian. It was very interesting to watch him, in the face of danger, turn from a soft intellectual into a hard and astute detective. Alec Baldwin as the talented physician Jed Hill was expected to be very good. Especially his speech about God in the O.R. - Bravo! But Nicole Kidman could not fully reveal his character. I thought I needed more emotion.
Great movie! A classic thriller that makes the viewer "wiggle his brains." And if suddenly you are a fan of thrillers, but by some ridiculous accident this picture escaped your attention, correct this misunderstanding. Take a look and you will enjoy it.
It’s amazing how you can come across a movie that you’ve seen only once and that’s a long time ago. I only remember that one of the Baldwins was filmed in it, the movie itself was kind of called “Evil”, and one of the most vivid shots imprinted in memory was a scene with a syringe stuck in the back of the main character. When I found this movie in Alec Baldwin’s filmography, I just decided to turn it on to see it with him and with Nickol Kidman – still young and so sexy. When Bill Pullman popped out in the credits, the idea was that this could be the movie! And as it turned out, so it was!
Andy (Pullman) and Tracy (Kidman) are a happy couple, but not everything is as perfect as it seems at first glance. Although the couple try to be an exemplary family. An acquaintance with surgeon Jed (Baldwin), gives Andy the opportunity to get a new friend, plus the doctor is the first who arrives to help Tracy when she begins to have internal bleeding. The series of events that followed acquires a color not only tragic, but also frightening, because none of the characters of this film is as sinless as it seemed at first glance. And then in the town appeared a serial killer, dealing with girls and cutting off their hair as a trophy. Andy, as a person familiar with all the victims, immediately becomes suspicious.
“Ready for everything” is a modernized version of the classic detective from famous writers of this genre. Of course, there is no traditional gathering of all suspects at the end in one room and presenting the whole truth, but a knot of woven intrigues becomes the main trump card of the project of Harold Becker, with the support of a team of writers who created a very high-quality and good-quality film, in which in fact everyone is not who they are and hide such skeletons in their closets, which becomes creepy!
In addition, where the film begins is not the central storyline – it is only a secondary direction in the story, which, however, will play a huge role closer to the finale. This trick from Becker only attracts additional interest, because later the script takes the narrative in a completely different direction. But this plays not in the negative, but in a solid fat plus for the film, because the newly discovered facts turn the picture into a magnificent detective thriller with a cold and even frightening ending.
At the beginning of the viewing, the viewer is unlikely to imagine what awaits him in the final, because even pretty and seemingly positive characters can be those about whom it is customary to say “an alien soul is dark”.
Murders, treason, secrets, personal tragedies, deceptions, blackmail, fraud - almost two hours of timekeeping in the film there are so many events that would definitely be enough for a mini-series.
The chic cast is not limited to the presence in the frame of Bill Pullman, Nicole Kidman and Alec Baldwin. It also involves Peter Gallagher, Tobin Bell (at that time he could be seen in the “Firm” with Tom Cruise), Gwyneth Paltrow (just starting her way in cinema), as well as Bibi Newwirth (you know her from the role of dean in “Faculty”). The script for the film was written by Aaron Sorkin, the music was written by Jerry Goldsmith, and the editing was done by David Breatherton, who worked with Becker before and after this film. Great team!
And with all this, “Ready for everything” was simply forgotten and thrown into the farthest corners of film storage. It has not been shown on TV for 18 years probably, although it was in the 90s that there were so many pictures that can bring true pleasure!
If you liked this film, you can see a few more films, where the main characters are husband and wife, and the situations in which they are either comparable to the one that was in “Ready for Everything”, or different, but still make the film cool.
"Deception" (1991)
"To pieces" (1991)
"Illegal invasion" (1991)
"Deadly Thoughts" (1991)
By mutual consent (1992)
Presumption of Innocence (1990)
"Guilty beyond suspicion" (1993)
"In Bed with the Enemy" (1991)
"The Kiss Before Death" (1991)
But look at you. I do not impose my opinion on anyone.
I saw this picture because of the presence of N. Kidman. I always liked watching her. But in this case, as an actress, she is clearly weaker than in previous works. She just prevented the contrast of the image of a miniature curly blonde with the role of a greedy villain.
All sex in this film with wine, creaking beds and syringes in the shoulder is the background for a man’s struggle with vices and his desire for profit. Even when the film is over, we will never know whether the obstetrician who fell for the easy money was the villain or the innocent victim.
Kidman in the film is sexy, charming and beautiful. It makes the same mistake that is usually made in a hurry: it is calculated on the simplest. Sometimes you can see nothing in life, but inside you can be just a musician who wants to live like that, because he has no other choice. Tracy is given everything except compassion. And it changes the value of life to greedy puffs and periodic sex with a lover.
Benny's husband is exactly the one who has confused all the cards, predetermining his fate. A brave and strong-willed man. For him you even worry more and the film stretches painfully long, only to end the process of destruction of the personality. In an instant, everything ends, and the young man at the piano lives. Happiness and good luck to him.
Cunningly twisted plot, beautiful female bodies, intrigue and lies, hatred and emptiness - the plot of a strong psychological drama. It is recommended to watch!
Sometimes you’re pleasantly surprised when you find an old movie you’ve never heard of and enjoy watching. The first and most important thing that attracted me was the name of the writer. Aaron Sorkin is a man of amazing talent. His scripts are real works of art. They have always been distinguished by the smallest elaboration of details and a non-standard approach to the narrative. This work was the second in his career and it immediately becomes visible hand of the future master.
Director Harold Becker put the picture in the best traditions of Hitchcock. The famously twisted story constantly surprises viewers with incredible plot twists. Intrigue and not even one holds attention to the titles. And the unexpected ending has the strongest effect. The authors deceive us from the very beginning and competently hide the main line until the right moment than baffle even the sophisticated viewer. Filigree work.
The tape includes the following genres: psychological thriller, detective, crime and family drama. Taking all the best, the writers qualitatively placed accents and avoided the basic conventions and clichés.
The atmosphere deserves special mention. Suspense is present at its best. The degree of tension is inflated gradually and at the end to break away from viewing is not possible. The soundtrack of one of the most prolific composers is not the most memorable, but perfectly suited to the style of this film.
Actors are another important reason to watch. Young Nicole Kidman played one of the best roles at the initial stage of her outstanding career. A magnificent disclosure of the image, very clearly showing the talent of this wonderful actress. Bill Pullman is incredibly good, and therefore deserves only the most flattering reviews in his address. Alec Baldwin was at the dawn of power in the early 1990s and played a very characteristic role. He looks great, but noticeably inferior to the two central characters. The brilliant trio masterfully coped with the task.
Ready for everything non-trivial, tense, multi-layered, intricate psychological thriller with elements of a detective. With a brilliant cast, high-quality atmosphere and stunning intrigue. One of the best representatives of the genre, created in the early 1990s. If you like movies where everything is not what it seems, then this is your movie. I would definitely recommend it.
Initially trying to find a thriller where Nicole Kidman could play, she usually has very few roles where she plays a negative character. But still, I found this movie, and here it really seems insidious.
The first half of the film is monotonous, not very fast. But the further, the more interesting events unfold. That’s where everything revolves around the main character played by Nicole. She plots scams and manipulates men as she pleases. Immediately you do not know about the plan of the main character, because in the film there are still persons who also do their dark deeds. And only then, you begin to understand the actions of Tracy, what she is capable of, in fact.
Nicole certainly played very well. Alec Baldwin and Bill Pullman also look very dynamic.
This film is difficult to solve from the beginning, and the outcome is also quite unpredictable. No matter how to twist the brain in different directions - everything will not be at all as it seems to the viewer. The title of the film fully reflects the position and goals of the main character. Because Tracy's so smart, you could regret ever getting involved with a girl like that.
This story is pretty confusing. But to understand it, I think it is very simple. This tape will appeal mainly to thinking viewers, and those who are interested in unpredictable denouements of this genre.
The adapted title of the film leaves mixed emotions. Since it does not reflect the essence of the original word Malice and, although flirting with the content, is less correct than the equivalent - "Criminal intent". With such an enviable cast, eminent composer and even Aaron Sorkin as one of the creators of the script, the picture is less known to a wide range of viewers than a number of detective thrillers of its time, some of which became cult in the VHS era (Cape of Fear, In Bed with the Enemy, Seven). He passed me by for the last twenty years, and it was a pleasant surprise to find a curious reason to spend time in the company of 90s movies of the old temper.
Malice belongs to the interesting category of paintings where reviews can spoil your impression instead of anticipation. The plot of the film is not as obvious as it may seem from brief descriptions and the first thirty minutes of viewing. The story quickly expands beyond a suspicious surgeon played by Alec Baldwin. At the same time, events are developing quite rapidly, and their number is enough to keep a hundred minutes of time at the screen. As of 1993, some plot twists and concepts seem quite fresh, and have been retold many times.
Although Bill Pullman is not on the official posters for the film, he is a full member of the story trio, without the character of which the story would not have taken place in this form. Nicole Kidman here is still unusually young and resembles an image from the film “Dead Calm”, and candid scenes with her were filmed without the involvement of a stunt double. Alec Baldwin at the dawn of strength and career makes an exceptionally pleasant impression. In general, all three main actors, as you can say, pulls on their shoulders in itself an interesting atmospheric story.
8 out of 10
Recently I caught myself thinking that not too familiar with the filmography Nicole Kidman, and then began to correct this omission, looking for a film for a good pastime. The choice fell on not the most famous project "Ready for everything", which in its description seemed to me very intriguing.
For a second, I want to dwell on the adapted title of the picture, because this is really the rare case when Russian film distributors, deviating from the original name, never lost, since this sign is the best way to characterize what is happening on the screen.
The film tells a very interesting story, which could not have ended as it ended, if not for a series of circumstances. For this, the creators of the film were not lazy to develop an additional, distracting from the main idea, storyline associated with the maniac operating in the city. This move seemed to me very unusual, and the introduction of a secondary story was a fully justified step, which really helped to connect some twisted plot twists and only warmed up the already intrigue.
As for camera work, it is at a high level: everything is filmed very beautifully, the tone of the picture is skillfully conveyed, the necessary moments are masterfully emphasized and the atmosphere of a quiet American province is generally created. And all this is complemented by a simple and unobtrusive musical accompaniment of Jerry Goldsmith, a recognized expert in his field.
Of course, all the above merits are multiplied by the brilliant play of the main acting trio.
Nicole Kidman (Tracy)
Thanks to a hint from the title of the film, I expected, let’s say, a catch from her character. But, at the same time, it was hard to imagine that this girl, in one of the first scenes showing her love for children, in the end, will be ready to go on such an act. Nicole equally well managed to convey both the image of a “poor sheep” and a cold-blooded, calculating manipulator who will stop at nothing.
Bill Pullman (Andy)
The character of Bill can also be divided into two parts: before and after. If at first he appears in the image of such a simpleton, living his usual, unremarkable life, then in the second part of the picture, realizing that he was just a puppet in someone else’s plan, he changes, starting to play by other people’s rules and wanting to restore justice (well, personal motives here, of course, play an important role). This is not a perfect Andy.
Alec Baldwin (Jed)
Alec confidently coped with the role of charismatic Dr. Hill, who made a medical mistake and, at first glance, became a hostage of the situation, deciding to take a reasonable risk to save his friend's wife. However, it only seemed, because the dock also had a lot of skeletons in the closet.
And this phrase of his: "Would you really be able to give your hand to cut off for a million bucks?", after watching the film looks very cynical, in the context of the semantic message of this picture, because, as numerous examples show, a person is able to do much to calm his appetite and amuse his greedy nature.
In general, "Ready for everything" with confidence can be called a worthy representative of such a genre as a psychological thriller, because he managed to collect everything necessary in order to please the viewer and not leave him indifferent.
As you know, in the 90s in Hollywood, such a genre as a psychological thriller was born. “Silence of the Lambs”, “Seven” is not just a classic of the genre, but textbooks for directors who decide to try themselves in this genre. As practice shows, most clones of “Seven” are complete nonsense, and certainly no one can reach the unprecedented atmosphere as it was in “Silence of the Lambs”. But not all films are weak. There are pictures that do not take the atmosphere or cruelty, but amaze with subtle acting and a well-written script. This movie is "Ready for Everything."
This film has only one significant problem, Russian distributors chose the wrong titles. Judge for yourself that from this title, you can already predict the plot of the film. But in fact, if you do not pay attention, the writers have built a well-thought-out psychological thriller, with several parallel storylines, which at first glance are not connected, but ultimately form a single whole. And the viewer only at the end will understand how deftly he was led by the nose.
“Ready for Everything” is an excellent psychological thriller, which has not been affected by time, despite its obsolescence, the film looks great, and the magnificent cast, very skillfully, and reliably acted out this tragic story.
Ready for Anything is one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve ever seen. Starting with the story of a married couple Andy and Tracy (Bill Pullman and Nicole Kidman), dreaming of having a child, the film, thanks to an unpredictable script, soon develops into a terrible story of treason and greed, the main violin in which the seemingly harmless wife of the main character Tracy will play.
The film is entirely based on acting and Nicole Kidman deserves special praise, who played a real, ruthless femme fatale, for whom the men around her are only pawns in her game. Even then, in the 90s, Nicole Kidman proved that she is able to play amazingly.
The tape can be attributed to the neonoir genre. Ready for Everything is a cold, unexpected thriller, during which you will be surprised by the plot twists and regret that the film ended so quickly. The film can be put on a par with the "Basic Instinct", "Fatal Attraction", "Spinky" and many others, now classic thrillers, which have become a milestone in the development of the genre.
10 out of 10