Bound (1996) User Reviews (250)

Stunning directorial debut by Wachowskis

[camachoborracho · 8/10 · 23 November 2004]

Bound is a film for which I have mixed feelings: it looks and feels amazing, the cinematography, acting, directing, costumes, wardrobe, props, colors, moods, etc. feel like a graphic novel brought to life. Yet on the other hand there is something that smacks of "aren't we cool for doing x?" - I guess the lesbian scenes and camera work were what did this so as to give it a punk/hip feel (then again, this is not long after Pulp Fiction came out so everyone was doing it).

Having seen the Matrix 1-3 I can understand and appreciate the camera work on second viewing, but it feels like the Wachowski brothers were pushing the lesbian eroticism for the sake of shock and males in the audience. It definitely seems to be directed by males insofar as the sex scenes go (the female body is both fetishist and problematized as a threat to men throughout the film too, but that's a different subject altogether), but these are more artsy than "Skinemax" night flicks in that there is very little nudity, it was tastefully shown for the most part and a lot was told with sounds and shadows. (Personally, I think the lesbians were there for shock since a male lover would have worked just as well, but in general I think some more subtlety could have been used in the sex scenes myself since imagining it is sexier IMHO).

That said, the first half, which establishes character, does seem to drag quite a bit, but once the caper gets going it never stops. You also feel for all of the characters - surprisingly, I felt the most for Cesar, the "villain" of the piece (perhaps because of an amazing shot when he opens the briefcase and then the world seems out of whack as we look up at him).

I can't really find anything "wrong" with this film per se and it is a good film although I could have easily fast forwarded the first half and got roughly the same effect. Still I could watch this film over and over again for the way it was shot since it is amazing and there are a lot of techniques and style one can learn from it, plus the story is great too. So for this I give the film

8 out of 10 stars. Definitely worth a watch, although some of you more conservative folks might be a little put off by the lesbian scenes.

Magnificent thriller

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 8/10 · 5 February 2004]

I watched this because I'm a big fan of the Wachowskies, and after watching their first movie(Assassins, which they only wrote) I hoped to see another masterpiece from the makers of The Matrix that had nothing to do with it. It's no wonder the producers let them direct aforementioned sci-fi/action masterpiece after they did this. For such a little amount of money, they really made the most of it. Few characters, sets and occasionally limited camera-work is easy to look past(hard to notice, in fact). The movie is breathtaking. For the entirety of the last half I was literally at the edge of my seat, extremely excited and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. The first half is mostly a setup for the last half, but it isn't boring, and is well worth watching, as it makes the second half near-perfect in suspense. The lesbian subplot might throw some people off, and will definitely offend some people, but if you're aren't one of them, then you most likely will enjoy it, if you're into thrillers. The plot is very well-written, and with twists and turns thrown in every so often, it keeps you watching closely. The acting is mostly good, especially from the three leads. The characters are great... diverse, interesting and credible. The cinematography contains several of the same things later made famous in The Matrix... anyone who's seen both movies can tell that it's the same people behind the cameras. The action is really well-done. The story-telling is just slightly experimental... reminiscent of various heist flicks. This also contains some quite stylish visuals, though not as many as the brothers' later works. All in all, just works really well and keeps you entertained throughout. I recommend this to any fan of the Wachowski brothers, thrillers and/or the actors in it. 8/10

Excellent! This is how 'Neo-Noir' films should be.

[DimitrisPassas-TapTheLine · 8/10 · 11 July 2018]

It is hard to accept the fact that I haven't ever heard of this great Neo-Noir, written and directed by the acclaimed Wachowski Brothers (Lana&Lilly) in the early stages of their career which reached its peak with ''The Matrix'' (1999). ''Bound'' is an absorbing crime/mystery with dashes of Hitchcockian suspense, having a solid plotline and great cast such as Joe Pantoliano and Jennifer Tilly who both deliver tremendous performances in their roles of a husband and wife, the former being a made mafioso and the latter a typical 'Damsel in Distress' who searches for a safe exit from the Mob's violent characters and proceedings, while becoming infatuated with her new neighbor (Gina Gershon's character). Tilly's character, acted with a mischievous- almost manipulative- sexiness and cynical determination, hatches a plan to rob her husband of mob money, with the guidance and support from her new lover. But, as always, reality doesn't follow the plan and things spiral out of control with a high body count and Caesar (J. Pantoliano's character) on the verge of a complete breakdown as he finds himself owing to his own mob family a sum of 2.000.000 dollars. The main theme of ''Bound'' is trust between humans and the risks that people are taking, based on the trust to a closely related person. The movie, apart from its references to classic Film-Noir, brought to my mind the early Joel&Ethan Coen pictures and plotwise it will somehow remind you of the superb ''Shallow Grave'' by Danny Boyle. This is a little-known gem that is certainly worth spending the approximately 100 minutes of your precious time and it will leave you wondering why it is so hard to find similar productions in the contemporary era.

Gosh, what a surprise

[neil-476 · 9/10 · 28 December 2007]

Let's get one thing straight at the start - the Brits aren't very good at sex. Obviously we're good enough to procreate and what have you, but when it comes to movies, we don't have a clue. What's more, we still have a strong streak of the Victorian puritan ethic running through us. This accounts for the fact that, in the period running up to Bound's cinema release, certain British newspapers hyped up the explicit lesbian content with a kind of outraged glee.

And, of course, when someone says "Disgusting - it ought to be banned!" then you want to see it all the more, don't you? So there I am, looking forward to a little girl on girl action (and it's there alright, filmed in tasteful arty stark contrast), and what do I get? A bloody good crime thriller, that's what.

There are many comments here, so I'll just say two things.

One, this is not the outrageous lesbian free-for-all which it was made out to be by certain elements of the British press. The relationship between the two women is absolutely essential to the credibility of what follows.

And, two, this is a film which you watch for the first time in a state of almost unbearable stress. I do not recall ever seeing another film in which extreme tension is maintained so well for such a sustained period.

Perfect Noir Film- loved it!

[BobbiCrow · 10/10 · 29 January 2006]

Late last night I caught 'BOUND'on the Independent Film Channel, and am still thinking about this film, shot in Red, White, and Black which further underlined the noir nature. Gina Gerson and Joe Pantoliano were memorable, as was everyone else- even the two policemen who come to check things out, having received a call about gunshots having been overheard. Clever, funny, occasionally sexy, but it hold your attention as the story unfolds and introduces many story lines. Unfortunately I am NOT a fan of Jennifer Tilly- her voice is like fingernails on a blackboard to me- but she was perfect for this role.

The final scene was perfect, and I didn't see it coming, which always pleases me. Check it out- you'll be glad you did.

Stylish, sexy and fun

[bob the moo · 14 March 2004]

Violet is a gangster's moll, living with Caesar, who launders money for the mob. Corky is a ex-con who has been hired to decorate the flat next door to Caesar's flat. When the two meet they slowly begin a love affair behind Caesar's back. After a while Violet comes up with a plan to steal mob money and frame Caesar for it while she and Corky make off with the cash. However, there is no such thing as a simple plan.

I saw this when it was released in the cinema where the overall view seemed to be of an enjoyable noir thriller with a lesbian twist. A few years later, the Matrix has made the Wachowski brothers hotter than hot and everyone is clambering all over Bound and building up it's status and pointing to it as a hint of greatness. Now, after two poor Matrix sequels, many will come back to this film as a sign of their ability before the dollars became more important. That's the impression I get anyway, from the message boards, reviews and comments from proper critics. However, I rewatched this and tried to meet it on it's own terms rather than be coloured.

Of itself, it does the business quite effectively as a noir crime thriller. The plot is tough and, although not all that twisty, does easily engage and keep the audience pretty gripped. The lesbian stuff is done a little cynically I think - where do you draw the line between stuff that is required for us to know that the two are lovers, and the stuff that is titillation? I don't know, the film does it all very tastefully and it is not the film's fault that some sections of the audience will come to this film because it has a lesbian love scene in it. I acknowledge that it was done quite sexily and was part of the film, but the crime is the focus.

The brothers direct with great style - set mainly in a couple of flats, the film moves slickly around the place. Some shoot outs do reveal a style that was later used in the Matrix films (albeit on a sci-fi level). The slow-mo stuff is pretty good here and not overly used - little tricks like the shooting over the white paint added to the style of the film no end. Despite being bogged down in a story I believe they took too seriously, I don't think they need to prove themselves as directors - their films speak for themselves in that regard, and I do hope they get back in the saddle.

The cast is deep in talent but mostly they play it in the stereotypical characters of the genre. Tilly is a great moll, at first she appears to be the delicate flower of the film, but she is as much a femme fatale as Corky. Gershon is very sexy, despite being very glamorous for a supposedly butch ex-con; she plays her role well although I would have liked to see her become more of a fall guy towards the end, in true noir fashion - fooled by love! Pantoliano is enjoyable; his character may not have a lot of meat on it but Joe does very well with a powerful performance. Support from Meloni and Ryan is good even if they all fit the gangster clichés required by the script.

Overall this is an enjoyable genre film - no more and no less. The lesbian stuff is a nice twist on the usual formula but it isn't pushed enough to be classed as exploitative (although there's no doubt that the film gained audience as a result of the love scenes). The cast are good and the direction is stylish, making for a slickly enjoyable noir.

Gushy pulp

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 27 July 2006]

Debut film from the sibling writing-directing team of Andy and Larry Wachowski is flashy nonsense. Lesbian mechanic becomes partners (and lovers )with a gangster's girl in ripping off $2M from the mob. The central relationship is interesting and believable despite the uneven performances by the leading actresses. Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon each needs a few more early scenes to let their characters take shape (this is particularly true of Tilly as the modern-day moll, who struggles a bit). Gershon, who really does look like a tough auto buff, tends to plow forward, either unrestrained or encouraged by the filmmakers, making her the standout here. The arty direction gets carried away with flash-forwards that make no sense, while the screenplay allows too many potentially strong scenes to happen off-camera. Still, there are great moments of suspense, amusing B-movie atmospherics and dialogue, all leading to a terrific finale. **1/2 from ****

The Wachowski brothers showed their talents long before The Matrix, but hardly anyone noticed because Bound is nearly direct-to-video material.

[Anonymous_Maxine · 10/10 · 16 February 2001]

Any way you look at it, Bound is a sex thriller. The story is very engaging and the direction is absolutely incredible, but the whole lesbian thing really overshadows all of that, which severely limits the impact that this movie could have had. Gina Gershon stars as a tough woman who falls in love with Jennifer Tilly, who happens to be the girlfriend of a gangster (Joe Pantoliano). The two concoct a scheme to steal $2 million from the mob, and this story is presented very skillfully and interestingly.

Ironically enough, you have to look past all of the lesbian action between Tilly and Gershon in order to really experience the skill that this movie is full of. Bound is Larry and Andy Wachowskis' writing and directing debut, proving that they had the skills from the start. The style that made The Matrix so good can be seen in nearly every shot in this film, and this style is probably the best part of the whole movie.

But the excellent directing wasn't the only thing that made Bound so good. This is an great gangster film, despite a few cheesy or flawed moments. For example, it was a little weird that the mobsters who came to Pantoliano's apartment - suspicious of the murder that had recently taken place which Pantoliano was desperately trying to cover up - didn't see their own bloody footprints on the carpet, or at least feel the blood squishing up through the carpet as they walked on it. But that's okay, because where else can you see $2 million hung up in an apartment on dozens of wires, drying after having blood washed off of it? This is good stuff.

Gershon and Tilly work perfectly on screen, and not just in the sex scenes. Their unique relationship was made interesting by their skillful acting, which was best when they were beginning to distrust each other. Hey, that's what happens when you put your life into the hands of someone you just met. Gershon, in particular, delivered an excellent performance, flawlessly bringing out her masculine side to play the strong role in her relationship with Tilly. There is something to be said about a sex thriller that is as good and as engaging as Bound, because they never really are any good, you know? Don't be put off by this element of the film, because Bound is a trashy movie that definitely deserves your attention.

It's a alright directorial debut film by the Wachowski's but nothing more

[KineticSeoul · 6/10 · 28 April 2013]

This one starts out fairly amusing and cool because of the stylish elements. And since it has Gina Gershon in her prime as this tough and yet hot lesbian with a nude scene. But despite that as this movie progressed I just quickly started to lose interest, maybe about 40 minutes in. The plot is about these two lesbians trying to steal from the mafia and one of the two lesbian is one of the mafia members girl named Violet(Jennifer Tilly). Who I just couldn't stand, Jennifer Tilly is good at playing these slightly ditsy character but I just could never get used to her voice. And the other a tough and yet hot ex-con who works as a painter and a plumber named Corky. And the mafia guy who they are trying to steal from is a guy named Caesar(Joe Pantoliano). Joe Pantoliano will also star in another role as Cypher which is a role that he will most likely be known for throughout his career. This is one of those movies about the girls overcoming the guys and staying stronger, which is fine. But it's done is a predictable and dull manner. I was expecting few curve balls but it just goes in a very predictable direction. During some scenes it just has way too much of a perfect timing to the point it becomes just plain out silly and ridiculous and this happens multiple times throughout this movie. Also none of the characters are likable in this movie. Corky is a ex-con by choice and Violet is just a mafia guy's girl that is just unsatisfied. She wasn't abused or anything like that and claims she just couldn't stand being with a man that breaks the law and stuff and yet goes along with a ex-con instead. But that just seemed like a excuse because she is a lesbian. Sure Corky is less malicious compared to Caesar but just couldn't sympathize with any of the character. And sure Caesar is the bad guy of this story but he just didn't seem all that sadistic or evil and seemed to actually love Violet. Anyways when it comes down to it I didn't find any of the character likable. Sure you don't need likable characters in a movie for it to be a good or even great. But there just wasn't any characteristics or traits that made any of the characters stand out. It's just has bad people stealing from even badder people. Which can also work but not in this case. It's a alright directorial debut from the Wachowski's but nothing all that special. At least the Wachowski's directed a revolutionary film right after this one. And personally I think Gina Gershon would have been a better Trinity.

6.6/10

A Brilliant Thriller

[Tiger_Mark · 10/10 · 3 March 2004]

I cannot think of a film that creates a more elaborate and intelligent sequence of events than Bound. This leads to that and that leads to something else and that leads to this and so on. What is special about this film, is that everything is connected. This is not Tarantino nonsense, that has no point and simply tries to rely on gimmicks and witty dialog. This is a clever thriller. The story centers around Corky, Violet and Caesar, who in one way or another, are involved in a plan to scam the mob. Of course, scamming the mob is never a good idea. Issues of trust, loyalty, love, violence and everything else are covered. There are very arousing sex scenes and scenes of disturbing violence, utilizing pruning shears. All of it choreographed beautifully by two very talented brothers. However,it is Joe Pantoliano who steals the show. He plays a wiseguy that gets caught in a downward spiral that can only finish one way, but he does his best to delay it. How he was omitted by the Academy is beyond me. To the pompous nitwits that peck away at this film, I have one question. What Hollywood films in the last ten years can you reel off that were nearly as clever as this film? Yeah, I thought so. **** out of ****, a simply brilliant motion picture.

Mixed feelings

[faraaj-1 · 6/10 · 29 May 2006]

I have mixed feelings about this film....in the first half an hour it sets up the cat and mouse game with Tilly, a gangster's moll and secret dyke falling for her lesbian neighbor ex-con Gina Gershon. When her boyfriend (an excellent Joe Pantaliano) steals $2.137 Mn for the mafia, the two ladies decide to steal it from him. The cat and mouse games that ensue are the bulk of the film.

I liked the twists and turns in the movie. The direction, photography and especially the lighting were superb. In the cast Joe Pantaliano stands out but Gina Gershon is quite good. This is a superb debut for the Wachowski Brothers who went on to make the Matrix Trilogy (Part 1 of which was quite good).

What I didn't like was that the whole love thing between Tilly and Gershon seems quite contrived. They have two brief "fingering sessions" and they're in love! Also, Tilly may be a good actress but I didn't like her. None of the characters is sympathetic but Caesar is so nasty and vicious he becomes a sort of anti-hero.

The film is quite violent but there is very little in the way of sex so I'm surprised at the R rating.

10 out of 10! Perfect!

[junecatpower · 10/10 · 4 September 2004]

Bound is a sexy, stylish and suspenseful modern visitation to the film noir genre that emerged in the 1940s and 1950s. Right from the outset - where the letters of the film's name cast deep dark shadows like high-rise buildings - the viewer is inducted into a world where duplicity is the norm and where choices made

result in prices being paid. And with over $2 million of Mob money at stake, the risk to life and limb is very high indeed. Violet is a latter-day gangster's moll looking for a way out of 'the business'. Her chance comes when her boyfriend, Ceasar, brings home a fortune in cash to be

sorted and collated before being passed on to the Chicago Mafia. She seduces

the tough-talking ex-con who is renovating the next-door apartment (an

impressively butch Gina Gershon) and together they scheme to relieve the Mob

of the money. But when Ceasar doesn't react according to plan, suddenly there are dead bodies to deal with and events begin to spiral out of control. The

women's trust in each other is stretched to breaking point as they are drawn into a deadly battle of wits. Directors Larry and Andy Wachowski make judicious use of the conventions of

film noir, such as extensive chiaroscuro, and some imaginative and

uncomfortable extreme close-up shots. The clever cinematography is backed up

by a tension-laden script and an excellent cast (particularly Joe Pantoliano as the increasingly frenzied Ceasar). Although Bound may take some viewers out

of their comfort zone with its graphic lesbian sex scene (which I LOVE!) and

depiction of Mob torture tactics, it is a film that will reward its audience with a stylish and intelligent foray into the eternally murky confluence of good and evil.

Entertaining modern crime thriller noir.

[poolandrews · 7/10 · 19 May 2008]

Bound is set in Chicago where the seductive Violet (Jennifer Tilly) lives in a posh apartment with her boyfriend Caesar (Joe Pantoliano) who launders money for the mob. A lesbian named Corky (Gina Gershon) is hired to do some work in the next apartment & Violet takes a fancy to her, in no time at all they are sleeping with each other. Violet tells Corky that she wants to leave Caesar, Violet also says that Caesar is looking after & counting over two million dollars of stolen mob money before he hands it back to the boss Gino Marzzone (Richard C. Sarafian) & that if they could steal it they could live happily ever after together. Corky agrees but stealing over two million dollars worth of mob money & getting away with it isn't going to be easy, it's going to take meticulous planning & a foolproof scheme to cover their tracks...

Executive produced, written & directed by Andy & Larry Wachowski (as The Wachowski Brothers) one has to say that Bound is a terrific gangster thriller with a touch of stylish film noir about it. The script revolves around two lesbian lovers & their intricate plans to steal two million dollars of mob money & get away Scott free, the film is largely set in two apartments with a minimal cast which gives it a certain tight & claustrophobic feel which works perfectly. The character's are excellent, are well fleshed out & developed as the film progresses. There are always doubts in your mind as to who you can trust & what people's motives are. The first third of the film focuses on Violet & Corky's lesbian relationship but while that's the most controversial & infamous aspect of Bound the film could have been made without it & still been as effective, it's just a way to get Violet & Corky together & provide a motive for the theft. Having said that there's nothing wrong with a bit of gratuitous lesbianism, is there? Once the complicated plot gets going there's double crosses, unexpected problems & the script certainly keeps you on your toes as a lot of people stand to either lose or gain a huge amount. The one slightly disappointing aspect of an otherwise intelligent & gripping script is that it does play out a little to logically, I know that sounds odd but there weren't any big surprises or twists & while I love the plot & the feel nothing made me sit up & go 'wow I didn't see that coming'. Still, Bound is a fantastic thriller with a great plot that keeps you glued to the screen although once you have seen it I am not sure how much replay value it has.

Director's the Wachowski Brothers do a great job & Bound is surely one of the most stylish thrillers you will ever see, from extreme close-ups on objects to dizzying ceiling shots to a clever scene as the camera follows the telephone cord as a call is made including a loop the loop moment as some of the cord is twisted into a knot! The contrast between Violet & Corky is superb as well with actress Jennifer Tilly all feminine lipstick, large cleavage, short skirts & sexy high heels while Gina Gershon wears jeans, shirts & working boots. They play off each other's styles brilliantly. The apartment has a nice sleek, shiny art deco look to it which suits the film noir feel perfectly. There's not much violence, there's a severed finger, some gunshot wounds & some blood splatter although the Walchowski's manage to bring some style to the violence as well like in the scene at the end when someone is shot & their blood mixes with spilt white paint on the floor. For a film with the notoriety Bound has there's only one sex scene in it & an earlier seduction scene which are both quite arousing actually & filmed with class & style, this isn't just uncultured lesbian porn this is style...

With a supposed budget of about $4,500,000 Bound wasn't the biggest budget film ever made but it did get the Wachowski Brothers The Matrix (1999) gig. Set almost entirely in two apartments Bound has a certain stage production feel about it, the production values are high & it's well made with the cinematography in particular deserving a mention. Although set in Chicago it was filmed in Los Angeles. The acting is top notch with Tilly, Gershon & Pantoliano excelling. Veteran actor John P. Ryan has a small role.

Bound is an excellent crime thriller with bags of style, great moments & an involving plot. I am not sure if I would want to see it again anytime soon but it's definitely well worth a watch whichever way you look at it.

Bound for Obscurity

[luke-283 · 3/10 · 22 September 2006]

this movie is not for everyone, but judging from the reviews submitted here at IMDb it has obviously attracted a cult following. by collecting more than 14,000 votes and thus garnering a 7.+ rating, i thought Bound might be a hidden gem.

the combination of slick visuals and the dynamics of the lesbian relationship are obviously responsible for a lions share of the votes. and i agree the Wachowski bros did reasonably well on their first major big screen project. but i don't feel the plot was anything extraordinary. the love triangle/renege combo has been done many times by any number of writers so there was nothing new there.

there was sufficient on-screen chemistry between Gershon and Tilly but it didn't carry beyond the sexual attraction of the two characters. and after a while the soft, low, growl of Tillys voice got on my nerves.

as the male lead Joe Pantoliano really pulled his weight in this film. his frequent small screen roles tend to pigeon hole him as a TV character type. but, alas, he wont be remembered for for his role here because this film is...Bound for Obscurity

Edge-Of-Your-Seat Erotic Thriller And An Amazing Debut For The Wachowskis

[gogoschka-1 · 9/10 · 11 February 2018]

Gripping, violent mobster tale and a very sexy love story. What a stunning debut for the Wachowskis this film was (and I can't for the life of me understand why this film hasn't been seen by a huge audience). Amazing camera, fantastic acting and so tight there's not a single dull moment in it. Edge-of-your-seat stuff. 9 stars out of 10

In case you're interested in more underrated masterpieces, here's some of my favorites:

imdb.com/list/ls070242495

On my top 5 list....

[phoenixoscura · 10/10 · 23 July 2004]

In my personal opinion, Bound is one of the most intelligent and erotic films ever made. It's not often that you see both of those words describing the same work of art.

I don't feel that the relationship between Corky and Violet is something that you should have to "get past" being that the tone of the film is that of escape (hence the title "Bound") and the very nature of their relationship upholds that idea. However if you are less open-minded regarding your own sexuality or completely homophobic, the scattered and brief exchanges between the two leading characters may not settle well with you. One of the best things about the film is the cinematic detail, all the little disturbing and intriguing things that the Wachowskis chose to hone in on...If you are a fan of The Matrix films, you'll really get to see where it all started with Bound.

I could rattle on forever about the pure genius of the film and that of the Wachowski Brothers but I won't. Just see the film for yourself, you'll either hate it or love it.

Erotic Crime Thriller

[Film_Lover_4ever · 11 September 2020]

Omg this film is awesome, The main three people in this movie are Gina Gershon, Jennifer Tilly and Joe Pantoliano, I love the storyline including the violence, suspense and this film includes millions of dollars, dodgy money.

Nothing special, had to see it for the sex scenes though!

[redkiwi · 7/10 · 25 June 2000]

You know when people go on and on about a film that you're not really that keen on seeing, but need to find out for yourself?

And no I don't mean Star Wars Episode 1, which I still haven't (and won't) see.

Bound is notorious for the lesbian sex scenes between Gershon and Tilly, and hence people I know seem interested to go on about it a lot!

It bored me. The plot wasn't bad and it was acted reasonably well - Tilly did well as Violet - and the scenes of the mob were well acted out, but by 30 minutes from the end I just wanted it to finish.

OK, but nothing earth shattering about it.

Impressive debut for the Wachowski brothers

[SKG-2 · 9/10 · 19 March 1999]

I can only hope the Wachowski brothers next foray into writing and directing, THE MATRIX, fulfills the promise they show here. This is a well-done example of film noir, one of my favorite genres, with a twist; it's got a lesbian romance at the center. Yet the film is smart enough not to depend on the novelty of it being a "lesbian" film, but takes time to develop both the story and the romance, so we're caught up. I also liked how Violet (the Jennifer Tilly) character turned out; she at first seemed like a pushover but turned out to be the strongest character in the movie.

If I had a quibble, it's that Corky (Gina Gershon, who is very good), is inactive for a crucial, and lengthy, part of the film, which slows things down a little. Also, the way we first see Corky in the film sort of promises a twist that the story doesn't deliver. Still, this is a gripping film, to be sought out by fans of this genre. Oh yeah, and Joe Pantoliano was quite good too.

Stylish minimalist thriller

[dierregi · 7/10 · 8 March 2021]

Caesar is a mob member for the Marzone family. He lives in a stylish apartment with Violet, a hot girlfriend with a penchant for sprayed-one micro mini dresses, plunging necklines and stilettos.

Flashy Violet is a closet lesbian and she happens to bump into the love of her life when ex con Corky is sent for a redecoration job to Violet's building. The two foxy ladies concoct a robbery at Caesar's expenses, so that they can run away and start a life with two million $.

As usual things go wrong and it will take a lot more ingenuity, blood, sweat and tears for the girls to just come out of the building alive. Mind you, this is the sort of plot I don't pick any side, being all the characters despicable.

Almost all the plot takes place in the hyper stylish apartment building in monochromatic shades, plus aggressive flashes of red. The whole Wachowski graphic universe is already contained in this simple story.

Love, deception, betrayal, and blackmail, woven to together in an always tense, always unpredictable tapestry

[ca_dale · 8/10 · 15 January 2007]

Bound revolves around the plot of two women; Violet (Jennifer Tilly), and Corky (Gina Gershon), to con a local mobster; Caesar (Joe Pantoliano), out of a huge stash of stolen money. Violet is Caesar's long time mistress, Corky is a recently released ex-con, doing renovation work in the apartment next to theirs. Violet is distraught by the dark life she has been thrust into and seeking a way out begins a secret relationship with Corky. After learning that Caesar is holding nearly two million dollars in transit to his bosses, the two devise an elaborate plan to steal it, pin the theft on Caesar, and escape clean with the cash.

And this is where the film really takes off. We are treated to a barrage of events intent on upsetting the plan. From an apartment shoot-out to a surprise visit from the cops, the film is relentless in drawing you in and grasping your attention.

Acting is top notch. Pantoliano's portrayal of Caesar after he realizes that his money is gone is just brilliant. His progression from panicked and irrational, to plotting and methodical as he tries to make sense of what has happened and plan his next move comes across perfectly. It's gradual and realistic, something you have to see for yourself to truly appreciate. Tilly also gives an excellent performance as Violet. Underneath Violet's seemingly fragile and comforting exterior she is cunning, mysterious, and complex. Her subtle manipulation of Caesar's emotions throughout the second half of the film is so convincing, you would almost start to believe her yourself if you didn't know better. Gershon generally does a good job as Corky; I just wish she'd been given more screen time in the second half of the film to further develop the character. Once the plan is in action she just sort of disappears for the last third. Numerous secondary characters add to the mix, the most endearing of which has to be Johnnie (Christopher Meloni) the brash and obnoxious son of Caesar's boss.

One of the other great appeals of the film is the Wackowski brothers' terrific camera work (the same guys who would go on to do the Matrix films). Their intense zooms and frequent use of slow motion add greatly to the suspense and tension as events play out.

All said and done Bound offers a great combination of suspense, characters, and aesthetic. If you want an engaging thriller with lots of twists and turns, for my money you can't do much better. A word of caution though, Bound contains some extremely graphic moments. One scene in particular involving a man being beaten and tortured in a bathroom is especially brutal. Make sure you have a strong stomach.

You've been warned!

Nifty B Thriller

[rmax304823 · 6/10 · 26 December 2004]

With very little effort you could visualize this on the screen of some neighborhood theater -- The Ritz or the Bijou or the Mayfair -- in, say, 1949. Only then it would be in black and white. The credits take about 90 seconds to unroll. It stars people like Edmond O'Brian and Adele Jergens and Marie Windsor and Ted DeCorsia. It's not called "Bound," though. I'm having a little trouble putting that together. It's called something more like "The Big Con" or Edge of Darkness" or "Where Danger Lives." "Bound" is a bit too suggestive even for 1949.

"Bound" is a B movie. The script is pretty elementary, the film has no bankable stars, everybody double-crosses everybody else, and it's cheaply made. But it's updated through the direction, which gives us not just some hood holding a snub-nosed .38 at his hip and shooting someone once. Instead, the hood holds his big pistol sideways and at eye level. Okay, this makes no sense. If you're going to hold it high enough to take aim, why hold the weapon sideways? The answer, I guess, is that that's how it's done in modern thrillers. Frankly, I blame Bruce Willis for this. He was the first to use this self-defeating convention on screen, that I know of, in "Die Hard." It's updated too in that the director has more freedom. So, for instance, the camera can climb up an apartment wall and then OVER the top into the apartment next door.

And, people aren't usually shot just once but several times. Sometimes many times. Bullet holes and blood all over the place. And when shot, the victim doesn't simply grasp his belly and grimace, then twirl around and crumple to the floor. He throws out his arms, slips around on a floor covered with bone-white latex interior paint, dripping blood in artsy patterns onto the slickness. It could be grand opera, except that sometimes the victim has time enough, though bullet-riddled, to raise his finger as if lecturing the shooter and make some absurd wisecrack -- "Please don't shoot," in this case.

And it's updated also because the two lovers take off with the boodle to live happily ever after, we guess. In 1949 the lovers would have been maybe Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Ryan. Here the lovers are two lesbians. (Some nice, but not hot sex between them is thrown in for the voyeurs.) And although they are both pre-verts and at least one of them has murdered somebody in cold blood, the getaway vehicle in the final scene doesn't plunge off a cliff, as it would have had to in 1949. What I mean is, did Hannibal Lecter die at the end of "Silence of the Lambs"? No -- and he ATE people. Times have changed.

Gina Gershon with her protruding lips could pass for an ex inmate. Jennifer Tilly's voice is a slow, wispy croak and she comes across as the dark side of the moon of Melanie Griffith. The Italian mobsters weren't too impressive, but Joe Pantoliano was great as usual. He can play almost anything. Here he covers his Jersey City accent with a reasonably authentic Chicago sound, although perhaps nobody but Pantoliano would catch it, or would care if they did.

Interesting minor flick, worth watching.

Fantastic

[gbill-74877 · 9/10 · 14 October 2020]

Brilliantly crafted neo-noir. The plot is tight and the Wachowskis sustain fantastic tension over the entire final hour, after a steamy setup which has a gang moll (Jennifer Tilly) seduce a general contractor (Gina Gershon) working in the apartment next door. I love how daring the film was at the time for the lesbian relationship, and yet how simply it was shown, just as two people who fall hard for each other. Oh, and then hatch a plan to steal a couple of million dollars from the mob, via the moll's boyfriend (Joe Pantoliano), with the intention to pin it on him. The twists and turns which follow are highly entertaining, albeit violent at times. There are some nice visual and auditory effects employed, and Pantoliano in particular turns in an excellent performance. Tilly is the weak link in an otherwise fine cast, just a little too airy and removed in her vocalization for my taste. She and Gershon have excellent chemistry, however, and both of them add an individual touch to their characters. Highly recommended.

B-movie thriller with some good moments

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 3 June 2016]

BOUND is a Tarantino-style thriller that comes to us courtesy of the Wachowski siblings. These are the two brothers (who have now transitioned to sisters) who wowed audiences with THE MATRIX but have been disappointing ever since. I quite liked this as an early step in their career, although it is quite forgettable and quite clearly a B-movie.

I did get a chuckle when I read that Bogart and Eastwood were acting inspirations for the main characters, played by a game Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly. Both are acceptable as the couple embarking on a torrid lesbian affair and getting involved with some violent gangsters, but to link this to classic, golden age cinema in any way, shape, or form is a joke. Gershon has done better work elsewhere while Tilly is too much of a mouth breather (similar to Renee Zellweger) to take seriously.

Instead, as I said, the influence is clearly Tarantino, so expect lots of shouty moments, quick fire dialogue, and expletives. I thought the use of the single location (a grubby apartment) was handled very well, and there are some nice twists and turns as the story progresses. Joe Pantoliano (MEMENTO) gives probably the best performance as the out-of-his-head boyfriend, and it's nice to see John P. Ryan (IT'S ALIVE) on screen again, although he looks very old and isn't in it much; this was his last acting role.

trying too hard

[cherold · 5/10 · 4 November 2022]

This neo-noir takes the "femme fatale draws regular joe into intrigue" plot and makes the regular joe a regular jill.

But I got bored early on, because the lead women felt like they were trying to copy old tropes. Jennifer Tilly's whispery sex kitten is almost a parody of the 50s sex kittens she's aping. Gina Gershon is like someone playing a butch lesbian building super whose never met any of those things.

Compare these two with Joe Pantoliano as Tilly's sketchy boyfriend. He's also playing an old trope, but with him it feels like he's tossed on an old, comfortable suit while the women seem like they're wearing ill-fitting costumes they bought at the budget Halloween store.

The movie aims to be sexy, but it's a weird theoretical sexiness that makes the love scenes drag.

I watched for a bit until there was a scene with some blood and I'd hear this had some Tarantino-ish violence in it and since I was already bored I figured why be disgusted as well. So I ejected before the plot really got going.

Maybe it gets better, but the cartoony lead performances make me skeptical.