In 1990, Michael Cimino directed a remake of the William Wyler-Humphrey Bogart 1956 film The Desperate Hours, starring Anthony Hopkins and Mickey Rourke.
Grade: C- (* out of *****)
| Hours | |
|---|---|
 |
|
|
|
|
Cimino, who also co-wrote the script (uncredited), with Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal, changed the gender of some of the characters of the original picture, but to little effect.
The plot is both ludicrous and risible, and the entire production overwrought.
Often collaborating with Cimino, Mickey Rourke had previously appeared in Heaven’s Gate and Year of the Dragon.
What a waste of talent, especially Anthony Hopkins, who must have been desperate for money. Hopkins would redeem himself the following year with a spectacular performance as Hanibal Lecter in Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs, for which he would win the first of his tow Best Actor Oscars.
The film proved yet another box office disappointment for Cimino, grossing less than $3 million against a production budget of $18 million.
