Key Takeaways:
– The late 1990s gave rise to iconic crime thrillers like ‘The Bone Collector'
– Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie brought compelling performances to this film.
– While not reaching the heights of classics like ‘Se7en' or ‘The Silence of the Lambs', the movie still has redeeming elements.
– The film earned a lukewarm critical response, yet managed to be commercially successful.
The 1990s was a time when the crime thriller genre was at its ascendancy. Remember the thrill we got watching movies like “Se7en”, “The Silence of the Lambs”, and “Misery”? Those heart-pounding moments, clever twists and unforgettable performances helped to define the genre. But, one movie that often gets left out of the conversation is “The Bone Collector”. This mystery-filled drama starred Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie, and it was released at the close of the decade in 1999.
Denzel Washington was already a well-known actor by the time he became Lincoln Rhyme, a paralyzed ex-cop in “The Bone Collector”. Before this, he had given memorable performances in movies like “Crimson Tide” or “He Got Game”.
Angelina Jolie, on the other hand, was just starting her journey towards movie stardom. Although she had appeared in other films like “Gia” or “Pushing Tin”, Jolie's career reached a new level when she starred in “The Bone Collector”.
The movie was based on a novel by Jeffery Deaver and was brought to life by director Phillip Noyce. The plot was distilled down and focused on the dynamic between Denzel's Lincoln and Angelina's Amelia, a new patrol officer. Together, they try to solve a series of grisly murders.
“Bone Collector” could have starred different actors, though. Al Pacino was the original choice for Lincoln Rhyme's role, but he was busy filming “The Insider”. Other actors like Sean Connery and Harrison Ford were considered before Denzel bagged the role. The character of Amelia Doneghy also saw potential stars like Demi Moore and Nicole Kidman before Angelina got the part.
Despite being built on a compelling premise and including great performances from Washington and Jolie, “The Bone Collector” didn't quite reach the dizzying heights of the genre's classics. It lacked a bit of the thrill we expect from such movies and was bogged down by some over-stretched plot points and an overlong run time. Even with its problems, the movie managed to land an opening weekend box office haul of almost $17 million and grossed $151.5 million worldwide against a budget of 73 million which is definitely not a failure.
Regarding critical response, it was pretty mixed. While some appreciated the performances of Washington and Jolie, others criticized the script and the way the narrative unfolded. Regardless of the critics review, it's a film that has found its audience and might be worth another watch if you're in the mood for a thriller from the 90s.
In conclusion, “The Bone Collector” might not be in the same hall of fame as “Se7en” and other classic thrillers, but it certainly has its moments. It's a testament to the talents of Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie, proving once again why they have had such successful careers in Hollywood. While it might not have been hailed as a genre-defining classic, it does provide an interesting case study for crime thriller fans.
Let's end the discussion here. What are your thoughts on “The Bone Collector”? Feel free to share in the comments. Thanks for reading!
