The Package is in my mind somewhat of a lost - not classic, but a lost good film. It`s rarely mentioned when looking at either Hackman or Jones or even Andrew Davis career, but it should be. It`s not as good as The Fugitive, but it`s better than most of his other work. It is a really strong political thriller, it has wonderful performances, great scenes and memorable locations. I wish more people had seen this great movie.
shareIn terms of the film, I think of this with the subtitle of Not-as-good-as-The-Fugitive. But I love it, so it's good to see someone else thinks it's OK too.
The commonest criticisms seem to be "old fashioned" and "outdated cold-war political thriller". "Old fashioned" ? - meaning a good tale fairly well told, keeps your attention, have to think a bit about the plot, etc ??
"Outdated" ? - well, the cold war has ended I suppose, but then so has World War II. Do we call films about that, outdated ?
And it's an action thriller that gives space for some decent characterizations too. As one would hope for from that cast.
As you say, not a classic, but it has a lot to offer.
OK, I've vented now. Thank you....
"Nothing is certain till it's certain".
I thought it was a very good thriller.
"The purpose of all war is ultimately peace."
[deleted]
I def enjoyed this movie the first time I saw and every time I see it on cable.
I love that it is a Chicago based movie, directed by a Chicago native driector and cast with many Chicago regulars!!!
Saw it all the way through today. Good film. Definitely of it's time, which was 1989. Cold War, Soviets, etc.
Funny enough is that in 89 I was living in Alexandria, VA. So, when they mention Dulles Airport, Arlington, etc. I had flashbacks of those places I had seen and heard of.
Very good movie, Gene Hackman and Tommy Lee Jones face off? How sweet is that?
shareI loved this movie, I don't know honestly how this is not ranked higher, I guess being at the end of the Cold War. not many people today remember anything about the Cold War. loved Dennis Franz performance. Hackman is his usual allstar performance, and Tommy Lee Jones was awesome,, great plot, nice scenery,, sorta like a JfK thing almost.. especially with the term "patsy"
are you going to bark all day little doggie,, or are you going to bite
I love this picture,, harkens back to the days of the Cold War. with Tommy Lee Jones in this picture to I thought it was a pleasure to watch, true although not a classic, is way better than 65-70% of the shlock out there today, the movie is fast paced, makes you think and is a good thriller to boot.
are you going to bark all day little doggie,, or are you going to bite
100% agreed with the OP!
Prostitute: What the *beep* are you doing?
Johnny: I'm gonna kill a bunch of people.
It's certainly entertaining and delivers what it promises. It looks nice enough, is well enough acted and interestingly enough plotted, even though in the end it comes down to a rather tired assassination plot. Not too shabby 108 minutes though.
"facts are stupid things" Ronald Reagan
I've seen it sereval times as i'm a big Hackman fan. I watched it again last night, It's a solid 7/10. It's just a shame it has a tv movie feel to it, especially at the beginning; the music doesn't help in parts (quite dated) but is great in other parts..
shareyeah I thought it was pretty good as well
shareProbably overshadowed by other films of its genre, including ones that Hackman and Lee-Jones have made.
share