Directed by:
Joel SchumacherScreenplay:
Andrew Kevin WalkerCinematography:
Robert ElswitComposer:
Mychael DannaCast:
Nicolas Cage, Joaquin Phoenix, James Gandolfini, Peter Stormare, Anthony Heald, Chris Bauer, Catherine Keener, Jack Betts, Amy Morton, Norman Reedus (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Nicholas Cage plays Tom Welles, a straight-laced surveillance specialist. His innocent, naive world begins to unravel when he is hired by the widow of an industrialist to investigate what she has shockingly discovered in her late husband's safe. It appears to be a snuff film of a young girl being murdered. In order to discover the truth, he must enter the city's seedy underworld, guided by porn-store clerk Max California (Joaquin Phoenix). (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (12)
Joel Schumacher psychologically brutalizes us and the resulting effect is excellent. However, it would have been even better with a more elaborate screenplay with more questions and unexpected twists. Even so, this is a formalistically excellent inducement to depression with brilliant performances by everyone involved. Mentally unstable viewers should avoid 8 MM!
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The attribute 8 MM deserves above all is EFFECTIVE. The story from the porn industry is appropriately brutal and repulsive in its subject matter, with a range of twisted characters from the gallery and the decadent environment of high society. The film is energetic and attractive due to the positive hero played decently by Nicolas Cage, complemented by a diligent improved sidekick, and several very skillfully crafted scenes. Overall, it has a depressing tone, which led to exceptionally great commercial success and acclaim from movie fans. It's not Joel Schumacher's best film, but it ranks among the better ones in its genre. Overall impression: 70%.
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A gloomy and relatively rough (within Hollywood standards) film showing the dark alleys of the metropolis, mentally disturbed perverts, murderers, deviants, and a traditionally clumsy Nicolas Cage. It's not inherently bad, but his acting simply doesn't dazzle and it even the Breitlings he wears most of the time can’t help. There were several scenes pleasantly twisted my nerves and digestive system (the final scene with the music is brilliantly tense) and the decently atmospheric depiction of that underworld with all its filth and tragedy is good. It's not groundbreaking, but on the other hand, Joel Schumacher has already directed several first-class crap, so let's be glad this film turned out like this.
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Andrew Kevin Walker, the screenwriter of two of the darkest thrillers of the 1990s, Se7en and 8mm, must be an interesting nutcase. And Joel Schumacher is a director who has some very bright moments in places, and in one of them he made this amazing and unfortunately underrated thriller, which few films can match in terms of depression and dense atmosphere. The sordid, disgusting setting and the depressing mood of late autumn are underlined by a brilliant, gloomy soundtrack that does not add to the good mood. Peter Stormare's and the great Joaquin Phoenix's performances are unforgettable, and Nicolas Cage also does a good job here. But the biggest strength is the story, it builds up superbly and when you think you’ve arrived to the climax, another one comes in, and yet you don’t feel that the whole thing is a mess. In addition, Cage's telephonic request for "sanction" of his decision is so wonderfully morally ambiguous that it must please any viewer who dislikes black-and-white sketched characters. 8mm is a very impressive film and in my opinion one of the best thrillers of the 1990s.
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Great Thriller!! I'm very puzzled by the poor rating on IMDB (only 6.4), because this film is excellent in all respects. Nicolas Cage was still in form, an excellent script concerning a very dark plot, a look into the underworld of porn (snuff!) and great twists. Perfect in every way, can't fault it. 95%
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Gallery (32)
Photo © 1999 Columbia Pictures
![8MM - Photos](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/165/183/165183469_56ec28.jpg)
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