Film Review: Hell's Kitchen (1998)
Some people learn from the mistakes that they made in their lives and some don’t. The protagonist of Hell’s Kitchen, 1998 crime drama written and directed by Tony Cincirpini, tries to belong to the first category. Johnny (played by Mekhi Phifer) is young African American who lives in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City neighbourhood known for ethnically and racially mixed population, but also for high crime rates. Long time ago Johnny too was involved in crime. Seemingly routine robbery ended in bloodshed during which Johnny accidentally killed friend Hayden (played by Ryan Slater). After five years in jail Johnny returns to Hell’s Kitchen in order to find younger brother who became addicted to drugs. To make ends meet, he takes job in stable where the owner, former boxer Lou (played by William Forsythe), begins to teach him his skills. Johnny begins to train and become professional boxer but his new career brings attention of underworld characters. In the meantime, Johnny has another problem. Hayden’s sister Gloria (played by Angelina Jolie) considers Johnny responsible for her family’s tragedy and wants him dead. He tries to talk Patty (played by Johnny Whitworth), her boyfriend and Johnny’s best friend, into killing Johnny, but Patty, who also took part in robbery and has relationship with Johnny’s mother Liz (played by Rosanna Arquette), isn’t willing to do it.
Hell’s Kitchen had its premiere at Toronto Film Festival and didn’t catch much of an attention. It would have remained in relative obscurity if not for the presence of Angelina Jolie who was yet to become big star. It happened quickly enough for her face and name to feature prominently during home video distribution at certain markets, including Croatia. Hell’s Kitchen is actually something of an ensemble piece, with Jolie generally not standing out of the the cast, which includes very good Phifer and William Forsythe as dependable character actor. The script is however burdened with cliches of 1990s crime drama set in bleak urban setting and additionally burdened with large amounts of old-fashioned melodrama. Yet, this story about crime, punishment and redemption was unusually humane in its treatment of characters, while Cincirpini tries to make his film slightly different with unconventional ending. Although critics generally weren’t impressed, Hell’s Kitchen is good enough to be recommended for fans of Angelina Jolie and less demanding viewers.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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