Blue Steel
Jamie Lee Curtis has a really bad day at work, meets an American Psycho and is helped by The Kurgan in Kathryn Bigelow’s Blue Steel.
Blue Steel caught my eye in Prime’s ‘Films Leaving In 30 Days’ section. Always on my to-watch list, and it seemed like the right time to finally pull the trigger on it. The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Clancy Brown (a genuinely nice guy when I met him at NYCC), and Ron Silver—directed by Kathryn Bigelow, whose films I always make time for.
The story unfolds with Jamie Lee Curtis as Megan Turner, a rookie cop who, on her first day, shoots a crook played by Tom Sizemore. On the scene, Ron Silver’s Eugene Hunt runs off with the crook’s gun. Megan faces potential dismissal as they can’t find the weapon. Eugene, experiencing a psychotic spiritual awakening, goes on a killing spree in NYC with the stolen gun.
Throughout, Megan gets assistance from Clancy Brown’s Detective Nick Mann, who is initially suspicious of her involvement before realizing Eugene is the killer.
The film crafts a compelling cat-and-mouse narrative, with Eugene manipulating his way into Megan’s trust, eventually revealing his gruesome deeds. The tension rises as he believes he’s a god meant to be with Megan, engaging in a twisted game of psychological warfare.
Blue Steel is available on Amazon.
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It’s a gripping thriller with genuine surprises and some shocking shootings. Ron Silver excels as an unhinged rich guy with a sinister smile, particularly in the scene where he works out and hears voices. Clancy Brown is a joy to watch, gradually understanding the gravity of the situation.
Jamie Lee Curtis anchors the film with a convincing portrayal of a female cop pushed to the edge. Seeing her home life, it is easy to understand why she would want to become a police officer. The film also echoes elements of John Carpenter’s Halloween, as she’s pursued by a killer who always appears when least expected.
Bigelow’s direction is tight, keeping the focus sharp. My only gripe is the constant close-ups, which, while possibly intentional for tension, left me yearning for more expansive shots. Towards the end, it edged close to parody with numerous scenes featuring Ron Silver raising his gun while grimacing.
Overall, it was a thrilling watch that I’m happy to have finally crossed off my list.
Originally posted on Live for Films.
