Stats:

Movie:
Palmetto

Stars:
Woody Harrelson; Elizabeth Shue; Gina Gershon

Date: 1998

Bottom Line:
Highly Recommend. Steamy Thriller.

I went to this movie totally by accident because I thought I was seeing a similar, but different flick which as it turned out hadn't opened yet. "Palmetto" was a an excellent thriller. In a lot of ways, the plot and general feel of the movie is very similar to "Body Heat", but the movie really kept my attention throughout. What a nice accidental suprise!

Like "Body Heat", the action takes place in the South; this time in Florida. And there is a lot of sexual energy seething through the set-up of the action as there was in "Body Heat". Woody Harrelson is released from prison when the film begins. The court finds out testimony during another trial exonerates him completely for the charge that he was found guilty of. Elizabeth Shue quickly finds him & asks him to be the voice on the phone when her stepdaughter is "kidnapped". The stepdaughter & Shue are arranging her kidnapping to get the money. I don't want to give any more away here or you won't enjoy the movie.

There are alot of really interesting plot twists and turns which you don't see coming. Gina Gershon plays Harrelson's girlfriend. She doesn't have a lot to do in this role, but she does what she can with it. Harrelson & Shue are excellent. "Palmetto" would make a great rental if you miss it in the theatres. After you see the movie, it occurs to you which movies (besides "Body Heat") some of the plot was borrowed from, but these don't come glaringly at you while you are watching the movie.

"Palmetto" probably will not make the best of 1998 Critics List; but it was well acted and well written. I highly recommend this film either in the theatres or as a rental.