I've come to think that perhaps I am becoming too soft on films. Every review I do seems to be a 6 + and I usually can find something redeemable about it. Tiger Warsaw was no different. I love Patrick Swayze, I think he's a huge screen presence and following the phenomenal success of Dirty Dancing he took the lead in this low budget drama and I think gives one of his best dramatic roles. The story is a little dreary, and slow moving and it is certainly fairly typical but still Swayze is very watchable and the final half hour of the film is actually moving and heart felt.
Swayze plays the lead in Chuck "Tiger" Warsaw. A former wild child/drug addict who lost everything one fateful night when he was caught by his father stealing from them to feed his habit. Fast forward 15 years when Tiger returns to his hometown in hopes of making things right. In some ways it's a story about a man who finally grew up and needs to have closure for the horrible and foolish things he did as a teenager. Swayze plays the perfect anti-hero. He did some horrible things and he's feeling sorry for himself and at times you hate him, and at other times you can't help but pity him and his situation and that is exactly what the role aims for. I think he does an incredible job especially in a sub standard written and directed film. He is the most talent in the film case closed. Three time Oscar Nominee Piper Laurie plays Chuck Warsaw's mother Frances. Torn between the love of her son and the deep love and respect for her husband she fights to bring her family together. She is good but her role is unfortunately small. Given a bigger role her and Swayze could have stormed this film and made it powerful. Lee Richardson plays a terrific role as Chuck Warsaw's father. Slightly handicapped in ways that is never fully explained by the gun shot wound he suffered at the hands of his son, Michael Warsaw has all but erased the memory of his son from his mind. When he finally discovers Tiger is back in town everything comes flooding back to him so quickly the last thing he feels is forgiveness. The eventual meeting of father and son following 15 years apart is almost disastrous and intense. Mary McDonnell as the Warsaw sister, Paula who in some ways is a focus of the film didn't come across well. In fact I found her rather annoying and dull. Unfortunate because the role should have been better. Barbara Williams is Swayze's love interest, his former high school flame newly rekindled Karen. Her role should have been more significant as well because in many ways her life and character are the same as Tiger's. She's out-casted, misunderstood and stereotyped by everyone in the town. Her and Tiger have a passionate affair but you know what?? It doesn't feel all that passionate...it's a little rigid and rushed and you never feel any major chemistry that should have been there.
Amin Q. Chaudhri is mostly lacking experience, and in this case a budget. I think the budget was probably next to nothing and the story is vapid and far too rushed. Roy London who wrote the film had some ideas but they were smashed together without any meat in the middle. Even something typical can be powerful and moving with the right script and dialog and unfortunately Tiger doesn't have it. BUT with the terrific screen presence of some of the cast like Swayze, and Lee Richardson. Swayze single handedly at least carries the film and makes it watchable. For the most part you can steer clear of it but if you really like Swayze or want something rare and off the beaten path you won't hit it. It has some heart. 7/10
Swayze plays the lead in Chuck "Tiger" Warsaw. A former wild child/drug addict who lost everything one fateful night when he was caught by his father stealing from them to feed his habit. Fast forward 15 years when Tiger returns to his hometown in hopes of making things right. In some ways it's a story about a man who finally grew up and needs to have closure for the horrible and foolish things he did as a teenager. Swayze plays the perfect anti-hero. He did some horrible things and he's feeling sorry for himself and at times you hate him, and at other times you can't help but pity him and his situation and that is exactly what the role aims for. I think he does an incredible job especially in a sub standard written and directed film. He is the most talent in the film case closed. Three time Oscar Nominee Piper Laurie plays Chuck Warsaw's mother Frances. Torn between the love of her son and the deep love and respect for her husband she fights to bring her family together. She is good but her role is unfortunately small. Given a bigger role her and Swayze could have stormed this film and made it powerful. Lee Richardson plays a terrific role as Chuck Warsaw's father. Slightly handicapped in ways that is never fully explained by the gun shot wound he suffered at the hands of his son, Michael Warsaw has all but erased the memory of his son from his mind. When he finally discovers Tiger is back in town everything comes flooding back to him so quickly the last thing he feels is forgiveness. The eventual meeting of father and son following 15 years apart is almost disastrous and intense. Mary McDonnell as the Warsaw sister, Paula who in some ways is a focus of the film didn't come across well. In fact I found her rather annoying and dull. Unfortunate because the role should have been better. Barbara Williams is Swayze's love interest, his former high school flame newly rekindled Karen. Her role should have been more significant as well because in many ways her life and character are the same as Tiger's. She's out-casted, misunderstood and stereotyped by everyone in the town. Her and Tiger have a passionate affair but you know what?? It doesn't feel all that passionate...it's a little rigid and rushed and you never feel any major chemistry that should have been there.
Amin Q. Chaudhri is mostly lacking experience, and in this case a budget. I think the budget was probably next to nothing and the story is vapid and far too rushed. Roy London who wrote the film had some ideas but they were smashed together without any meat in the middle. Even something typical can be powerful and moving with the right script and dialog and unfortunately Tiger doesn't have it. BUT with the terrific screen presence of some of the cast like Swayze, and Lee Richardson. Swayze single handedly at least carries the film and makes it watchable. For the most part you can steer clear of it but if you really like Swayze or want something rare and off the beaten path you won't hit it. It has some heart. 7/10