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Strange Days (1995)
Starring Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis, and Tom Sizemore. Cinematography by Matthew F. Leonetti. Editing by Howard Smith. Produced by James Cameron and Steven-Charles Jaffe. Written by James Cameron and Jay Cocks. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow.
On the eve of the end of the millennium, Lenny Nero (played by Ralph Fiennes) moves in and out of the charged and angry crowds as the mother of all celebrations looms on the near horizon. Nero is an ex-cop who deals “clips”; the new drug of choice. Clips are thirty minute segments of someone else’s perception that one can jack into and experience with all five of their senses.
You want to know what it’s like to jump out of an airplane? Find Lenny. You want to know what it’s like to have sex with a hooker? Find Lenny. The only thing that Lenny does not deal in is “blackjack” or snuff clips. Well one particular blackjack has found its way to Lenny and the mystery to unravel its violent mystery begins.
James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow were married in August of 1989. Their first collaboration was Point Break, a film that Cameron produced and Bigelow directed. During their two years of marriage Cameron shared an idea of a story with her that takes place at the end of the millennium; a time that has always fascinated him.
Bigelow was interested in the story, and added some thoughts of her own, so when it came time to start putting the project on paper Cameron wrote it with her in mind. While assembling the treatment for the film he found himself so engrossed with the story and characters that he had nearly fleshed it out into a novel. But because of obligations that he had with True Lies Cameron was unable to complete the script, so he and Bigelow hired Jay Cocks to finish it off.
Cameron also acted as producer for Strange Days, but was very hands off with the production. He afforded Bigelow the freedom to take the film where see saw fit and only showed up on set once to have his picture taken. He told her that as long as she stayed under budget there was no reason for him to be there. He did however become involved during the editing process which has always been a strong point of his.
In the end both Cameron and Bigelow ended up with a film that they were pleased with. The critics were pleased as well, but audiences sure didn’t seem to match their enthusiasm and the film tanked horribly at the box office. But don’t let the financial results fool you. Strange Days is a beautiful blend of sci-fi, thriller, and mystery with a touch of noir that is as unique as it is entertaining.
Budget: $42,000,000
Total US Gross: $7,918,562
Genre: Science Fiction
Runtime: 145 Minutes
US Release Date: 10/13/95
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Awards: none
Tagline: You Know You Want It.
Quote: “See, I can get you what you want, I can. I can get you anything, you just have to talk to me, you have to trust me. You can trust me, 'cause I'm your priest, I'm your shrink, I am you main connection to the switchboard of he soul. I'm the magic man; Santa Claus of the subconscious. You say it, you think it, you can have it.”
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