USA army deserter Kiefer Sutherland bites off more than he can chew in London during World War II with femme fatale Emily Lloyd in this drama/thriller, as she 'inspires' him to commit various crimes together which eventually leads up to murder. It's true folks... sometimes the more homely and dull girls ARE the best ones to start a home with.
Apparently based on a real life case, the criminal couple here ain't exactly Bonnie And Clyde. For a start, their chemistry feels more mandated by the film than a genuine connection, and their illegal acts are too long and drawn out to be exciting, both before and during.
Take their first 'homicide' involving a young female hitchhiker as a duo... the build-up to it is torturous rather than exciting, and the end result is actually more funny than disturbing. Not what was intended for sure.
I have no problems with the acting here, as both leads give it their all (especially Lloyd) and there's also a great supporting cast of British actors who were pretty big at the time. I was also somewhat satisfied by the ending, even if it was predictable based on what we'd seen.
In fact, as an intimate snapsnot of life near the end of the war, I'd say it does its job with something to spare. As a rigorous expose of what drove this murderous pair to carry out their short-lived career as lawbreakers, it falls somewhat short of the mark.
More 'bull' than 'bullseye', I'm afraid. 5/10.
