The current period that the entertainment world is experiencing is decidedly complicated, mainly caused by many of the activities closed or that have suffered real limitations of use. Cinema is also part of this, with the consequence that some films have received less recognition from the public than initially expected. Until the last clue is therefore part of this category of products that, despite a large publisher behind it such as Warner Bros, have unfairly passed on the sly. The film directed, written and produced by John Lee Hancock (the latter known for having worked on products from the caliber of Saving Mr. Banks, The Founder and Highwaymen - The Last Ambush) proves to be a not very original thriller but that manages to keep the viewer and, more importantly, the fans of the genre captivated. .
It all started in the 90s
Available for purchase and rental in a variety of digital streaming services, Up to the Last Clue has a story right from the start interesting and at the same time complicated production. According to the statements released, the original script of the product was conceived in 1993 and with Steven Spielberg directing the project. Unfortunately, the well-known author gave up everything considering it too dark and so, in the remaining twenty years, several other important names have abandoned the boat including Clint Eastwood, Warren Beatty or Danny DeVito. In the end, also thanks to the experience gained with his previous production, John Lee Hancock decided to direct the film by himself using the usual script but adapting it to the contemporary period. The story takes place in 1990, and tells of Deputy Sheriff Joe "Deke" Deacon (played by Denzel Washington) who is sent to Los Angeles to gather forensic evidence relating to a recent murder. Here he meets the promising young detective Baxter (played by Rami Malek) and in the end the two, albeit with their differences, work together to achieve a common and well-defined goal.
Being a work extremely narrative, we prefer not to further reveal the plot that the two aforementioned characters have to face, but know that the writing and characterization of the performers manages not to fall too banal. The narrative, as we have already explained, it's not too original in its events and in the methodology of the story, but what really works are reports that are established and the dialogues, thanks also to good interpretation of the cast members in which, including the secondary ones, the viewer is able to believe in the soul of the people present in the film. Honorable mention however goes to Jared Leto, here in one of his best acting performances of recent years. Unfortunately, as usual not all that glitters is gold, and here we notice it especially from some of the actions represented. In various parts of the film we all too often tend to force events to send everything in a certain direction, thus losing the naturalness expressed in other sections of the screenplay. In general there is also one certain predictability, but for the kind of experience that the work wants to be it is not really a flaw. In a certain sense the director plays with the spectator's expectations, accompanying him in some parts while in others he manages to circumvent him.
In search of redemption
When you want to set an audiovisual product in a certain historical period while remaining faithful to it, you must always pay close attention to every single detail to remain correct in the setting represented. Fortunately, production designer Michael Corenblith and costume designer Daniel Orlandi succeeded in the arduous task of bringing this to the screen. transition period, managing to bring back the cars of the time as well as other visible elements that transport the minds of the spectators back in time. It is important to note that everything is not too oppressive or extreme, giving, in some ways, for granted that the public knows the historical period represented. A little touch of class from the production, which thus leaves the way to discover the various elements that take you back over thirty years. We also notice a great job with the colonna sonora, made by Thomas Newman, which tries to help the viewer get more into the mentality and emotions felt by the Washington character. In fact, unlike other products of the genre, Until the last clue tries to give extreme prominence to the human side of its protagonist in order to make us understand the motivations and feelings in this real hunt for the culprit.
However, a film is also composed of shots and direction, and with Up to the last clue both turned out to be clean and well understood by the public eye. Unfortunately they fail to stand out in any section of the about two hours which serve to reach the credits, not proving capable of striking from an artistic and visual point of view. A real shame, also because in previous products the director John Lee Hancock has shown very different directorial skills. We are certainly not talking about a bankruptcy element of the product, but the user will hardly be able to be really impressed by what he will see, at least from this side of production.
