No Mercy (1986)

Wonderful character development!

hyped garbage

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Released in late 1986, "No Mercy" stars Richard Gere as a Chicago cop who travels to New Orleans to track down a blond (Kim Basinger) who is linked to the murderer of his beloved partner. The film features a great love-to-hate villain, Losado, played by Jeroen Krabbé; a notable survival-in-the-swamp sequence wherein Gere & Basinger are handcuffed to each other; and an action-packed showdown in an old city hotel.Actually, I could do without the hotel showdown, as it comes off too cartooney and contrived (like when one of the villains barges right through a wall with his rifle -- Why sure!), but I suppose it can be accepted on the grounds of Western-like artistic license.There's loads of foul language but I found it realistic for these types of individuals in such critical situations. So I didn't mind it too much but my wife took (minor) offense.Gere's still relatively young here (36). I realize many hate him, but I'm a fan of quite a few of his pictures, e.g. "The Mothman Prophecies", "King David" and "An Officer and a Gentleman". Kim Basinger doesn't do much for me personally, although she's certainly pretty and her acting is effective here. I know it's a matter of taste but "No Mercy" provides zero 'babe appeal' for me.The film was shot in Chicago and Louisiana (and some parts in NC).The score is moving despite the dated mid-80s electronic drums.FINAL WORD: It's hard to put into words why I like this film to the extent of writing a review. It's nothing exceptional, but it somehow 'works' and gets better with repeat viewings. I bought the DVD a year & a half ago and have watched it three times since, which is something I rarely (if ever) do. I think what attracts me is that it's more than just a mindless cop/action flick, although it has the thrills if that's all you're looking for. "No Mercy" has something to say about love, loyalty, courage, justice, freedom and happiness, but it's smart enough to not spell it all out. Hence, not only is the picture enjoyable to watch due to the 'movie magic' but it can also leave you contemplating.The film runs 106 minutes.GRADE: B

We now see Mr Gere get tough as Eddie Jillete (dig the name, and he's not much of a shaver either), another Chicago cop who doesn't play by the rules. Opening with a funny stake out scene, with Gere and partner, who winds up dead, later, of course, (ooops! sorry to ruin it for ya) posing as car wash attendants, where they nab these two snitches, which leads to a higher chain of really bad dudes, who are part of a drug syndicate. Gere's partner being slayed, along with a contact supplier, has him on an adrenaline filled quest of revenge, (an excuse for the rest of the movie) that sees him travelling to the bayou, to find the mysterious and beautiful Michelle, the contact's girlfriends, who Gere doesn't mind slapping if, if slapped first as seen earlier, before all the bloodshed started. Gere's need for vengeance, is not a bad excuse, for a few reasons- you've got the beautiful Basinger, and a great action sequence that sees Gere and Basinger scarcely escaping the claws of the merciless head honcho, (Jerome Krabbe, an evily brilliant, masterful performance, way above his peers) fleeing across the river, from out of the pilings, and ending up in the swamps of Louisiana, drained, thirsty and hungry as hell. Personally, not buying the probability of them getting away clean like this, I also got drained watching them. The other reason besides Gere, purposely pranging the car of the contact's brother, who wasn't playing ball in the Q and A department, was the shootout scene in the abandoned hotel. Get this. Gere gave the proprietor a bunch of money for all the rooms, telling him "There's no future in it". The proprietor leaves as simply as that before Gere rigs the hotel with traps and guns. It is a great set up of tense atmosphere, before Gere has his moment of vengeance face to face with killer Krabbe. While really becoming a fan of Gere in the mid eighties, No Mercy, isn't one I held in memory. It was a good actioner, at viewing time, but nothing really stuck with me about it. A few weeks later it was totally forgettable, the only part, sticking with me, in those small weeks after, was them going through the mire and the swamps. Gere did bring out an intriguing new tough guy, unruly, who's disrespectful of women, he really needs a lesson in manners, and like the movie, his character wasn't one, you much cared about.

**SPOILERS** Clash of culture film that goes from Chicago to the swamps bayous and streets of New Orleans with windy city cop Eddie Jillette, Richard Gere, looking to get even for the savage murder of his partner undercover cop Joe Collins, Gary Basaraba, by Cajun gangster Losado, Jeroen Krabbe. At the time Losado was in town to get back his runaway and personal slave girl.Chicago police officers Jillette & Collins getting a tip from a local Chicago pot pusher Angles Ryan, Ray Starkey, that they busted that he was hired to do a hit for somebody from out of town. The two policemen acting as hit men meet later that evening New Orleans businessman Paul Deveneux, Terry Kinney, and his girlfriend Michel Duval, Kim Basinger, at a Chicago restaurant. Deveneux wants the two to take out this very dangerous and brutal New Orleans gangster, Losado, and is willing to pay big money to get the "Job" done.Before anything could happen Deveneux is blown to pieces and officer Jillette barley escapes with his life as they were caught in a street ambush by the targeted Losado and his gang. Back at the hotel were police officer Collins is staying Michael Losado and a bunch of his hoods breaks in and catch Collins by surprise. slicing Collins open with a huge hunting knife Losado then takes off with Micheal who he considered to be his private property. Getting to the hotel room too late to save his partner officer Jillette is deeply hurt for not being there in time to prevent Collins from being murdered. Trying to find Collins' killer in the city of New Orleans Jillette finds Michel at the Blue Parrot nightclub. Jillette had a hunch she would be there from the blue parrot tattoo she had on her right shoulder. The movie then goes into overdrive with Jillette on the run with Michel as a hostage as Losado and his gang try to track down and kill him as well as rescue Michel. Jillette on the other hand is on a mission of revenge to find officer Collins murderer and bring him to Justice with him being the sole judge jury and executioner.Getting away from Losado's goons Jillette makes it back to the main New Orleans police station with Michel only to get arrested and then told to check out of the city by the New Orleans police Lt. Hall, Bruce McGill. Determined not to leave without taking care of Lasado Jillette has Michel, who had since fallen in love with him, used as bait to get him out in the open which leads to the movies fiery conclusion in a deserted New Orleans hotel. Average suspense/drama that's helped a lot by the presence of Jeroen Krabbe as the cold-blooded and murderous Cajun gangster Losado. Creepy yet soft spoken who without even the slightest show of emotions Lasado would lash out at his unsuspecting victim with his deadly blade like a coiled rattlesnake.The showdown at the Algires Point Hotel had Lasado and his entire gang shoot and knife it out with an almost suicidal officer Jillette who didn't care if he lived through it or not. With him only wanting to take out the Cajun killer so he could finally feel that his partner didn't die in vain and that his killer didn't live to get away with murdering him.

No Mercy is a great movie that offers a lot of action, a great cast of actors and actresses, a very haunting melody as the base music in the soundtrack, and additionally, some really beautiful scenery. All of the actors do a really great job portraying their characters and there is a lot of action and subtle bits that endear the movie watcher to the character played by Kim Basinger. Richard Gere was a very cool "tough cop" in this film and he was a real looker needless to say. I have seen this movie more than once and still think it is a really entertaining film. Lots to offer INCLUDING a great soundtrack that has eluded me all these years. I would appreciate any tip that would help me locate one of the "out of print" CD's of this soundtrack. I most definitely would pay a reasonable price. thanks!