Look, we're not talking Oscar-worthy by a long shot, but both actors are as engaging, as their characters are occasionally frustrating. Though Nero becomes more draining as the movie goes on, Mace doesn't succumb to becoming dead weight as a damsel in distress type, or overbearing as the trope-y, stereotypical "Sassy Black Chick". But she does get to open a few industrial grade cans of whup-ass while good ol' Lenny sulks and pouts as he walks around in leather pants and ultra expensive silk shirts while he's pining for his ex:
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All that being said, there's just one more set piece that makes this movie worthwhile for me - One of the best screen kisses ever:
No fakey-fake pressed lips, or aggressive face gobbling. But a good old fashioned kiss. This moment is so beautiful that it's pretty much the model for every kiss I've ever written.
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The theme song for this cinematic moment, "Fall In The Light" by Lori Carson is atmospheric, and unapologetically ethereal — bringing to mind the breathy nearly angelic vocals of Julee Cruise on the soundtrack of Twin Peaks.
Moviegoers need more of this👆🏾
Hell, I need more of this... Maybe there should be fics about this movie? I ship these two almost as hard as my OTP BenAnna.
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And, I will pout like a brat every time this plot bunny enters my thought bubble - even for just a second ...
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Strange Days(1995) Trailer:
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Director Kathryn Bigelow has kept herself relevant in the film industry since working onStrange Days. Most notably by becoming the first woman to win an Oscar for Best Director for the Iraq War drama "The HurtLocker". Bigelow made history twice in the same awards season when she was honored with the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film.
Truthfully? I will always wonder just a little if her Oscar win was a little bit sweeter because the odds on favorite that year was "Avatar" - which was directed by her ex-husband James Cameron. [insert snarky, childish giggling]
Bigelow's Academy Award win has caused quite a bit of armchair quarterbacking about her back catalogue, especially StrangeDays. In 1995, the film was a look forward to the end of the last millennium, on second look - we can see how the themes portrayed in the movie's narrative have played themselves out as part of history and current popular culture. Most of all, this was and is a solid piece of filmmaking that has rightfully earned much more consideration than originally given in the 90's. Strange Days holds up as entertainment, and as a true cultural bellwether because it was well written, performed ably, and was helmed by a visionary before her time.
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