Cat Chaser (1989) is an adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel and is directed by Abel Ferrara. However, it is a film that he disowns and sits low in critical reflections of his filmography. From interviews I’ve read (the Hidden Films article about it is insightful), it was a troubled production with stars Peter Weller and Kelly McGillis not getting along, several accidents happening on set, and producers who would re-cut the film for cinema release in a way that upset both Ferrara and Weller. A clear marker of this post-production interference is a very “noir” voice-over narration (delivered by actor Reni Santori who does not play a character in the film; he was cast after Weller refused to record the narration), which was fine at the start but became quite irritating to me every time it intruded upon a scene. Some subplots and threads are left out or slighted, but it mainly kicks into a familiar Elmore Leonard type of plot – a heist or plan that all the characters circle around and discuss in trademark Elmore Leonard dialogue. This quality is still there, aided by the performances and the coastal-noir framing and lighting of scenes. It’s also very sleazy and violent. Weller, in a confident and hip performance, plays the owner of a hotel on a Florida beach who is also ex-military and haunted by memories of serving in the Dominican Republic when he was younger. At the same time, he engages in an affair with the sexy wife (McGillis) of a former Dominican general (Tomas Milian) who is a wealthy businessman and criminal. Also in the mix is an ex-cop from New York who is the general’s bag man (Charles Durning, great) and another ex-military desperado (Frederic Forrest, also great). I still enjoyed Cat Chaser, there was enough of the Elmore Leonard vibe in there for me, plus the performances and neo-noir style, even if it was also confusing and misshapen. Chick Corea contributes some mellow jazz for the score. The video quality on the copy available on iTunes was pretty basic and not HD at all. Recommended.
VHS Tracking 