"Thief Of Fire" - one of the most classic police films in the history of Hollywood cinema.
I can't remember the first time I've seen "The Line of Fire", years later...
How did Neil die so easily? There is no struggle, no dying process, not even contentment. The whole movie is like visiting a majestic and magnificent building from top to bottom, layer by layer is amazing and shocking, until you go to the bottom to see, the foundation that supports the whole building is only a deformed, slender, if there is no pillar. So, with a gentle breath, the whole building collapsed. There is no struggle, no dying process, not even contentment.
In his prime, Robout de Niro plays Neil, with a determined look, capable movements, and a stable, wise, confident, and decisive man. What's in it in such a charismatic skin bag?
Stills from "The Line of Fire"
Skilled job skills – rigorous planning and professional execution:
At the beginning of the film, professional criminal Neil and his gang rob bond escort trucks. From preparation to robbery, the whole process is tightly sewn, the action is precise, and it is done in one go. If it were not for the temporary scum of the company, Wayne Groy would have killed innocents, it would have been a "perfect" robbery.
Excellent professional quality - to know the mistakes is to change, to maintain the rules:
Wayne Grove killed innocents indiscriminately, and Neil was furious and mercilessly wanted to kill Wayne Grove without hesitation. Wayne Groh has no professional ethics, is incompatible with Neil's gang, is the cancer of this gang, cut the tumor without mercy, and correct mistakes without mercy.
Neil makes a deal with another gang leader, Van Zante, who ostensibly agrees to the deal, but behind the scenes, he wants to kill Neil. Neil called Van Zante after escaping: "... I was talking into an empty microphone because there was a dead man on the other end of the phone! "Van Zante's transgression, breaking the rules of the deal, and having no credibility with his collaborators, must be punished.
Excellent leadership skills - righteousness and thin clouds, not angry:
Neil sometimes organizes gang family gatherings, each with a wife and even children, and enjoys themselves. That kind of scene makes people forget that they are a professional criminal gang.
Gang member Chris's family conflict intensified, and his wife Red Apricot went out of the wall. Neil tried to reconcile the Chriss. He said to sarene (Chris's wife) who was being arrested: "Shut up! You give Chris one last chance, and if he screws up later, I'll fund you to find a place to live, you can go anywhere you want, Dominic (the Chriss' child) will go with you, I mean what I say, but now you're going to give him a chance..." A majestic look, an unmistakable tone.
Neil senses that the entire gang has been monitored by Officer Vincent and that continuing to rob the bank will take great risks. He consulted everyone and informed them of the huge risks. He said to gang member Michael: "This time you have to decide for yourself... Elaine (Michael's wife) takes good care of you, you have enough savings, you have state bonds, real estate, if I were you, I would be smarter and not touch this! ”
Gang member Treo is followed by police and unable to participate in the bank robbery as planned. Neil meets cellmate Don Buridan at a restaurant. "In a word, do it or don't do it, right now!" Neil asked. "Dry, dude, dry, I promise!" Don Buridan replied.
Trio had to betray Neil because his wife Anna was coerced by Wayne Gro, and Neil did not punish Trio, but said to the dying Treo, "I'll call the doctor." ”
Throughout the film, Neil's gang members and friends are always immediately executed without hesitation. This stems from Neil's long-term meticulousness, principledness and sincere care. The result is a gang of technical professionalism, rules-abiding, trusting, intimidating abilities and efficiency.
Responsible emotional attitude - chivalrous tenderness, self-sacrifice:
Neil meets Edie and falls in love with her, on the terrace at night, with a slight breeze. "Edie, leave with me... I have money, you don't need money, you can open a studio and work there... I was a pointer that went from zero to the back, blank on both sides. Suddenly, someone like you appeared..." Neil said softly, gazing gently into Eddie's eyes, affectionately and firmly.
At the end of the film, Neil could have fled in a car, but Edie sits in the car, and in order not to bother Edie, Neil is gone. Close at hand, but it is already the end of the world, and the eyes full of reluctance and despair have wet the screen.
Indomitable spirit of struggle - to complete the goal, never give up:
Eventually, as Farnglo and Van Zent tip-off, Neil's gang suffered heavy losses during a shootout with Vincent's police in the streets while robbing the bank. Don Buridan and Michael were killed on the spot, Chris was seriously injured, and Neil was hunted down throughout the city. Neil, who had already arranged the escape route, could have taken his sweetheart Edie away and flew away. but! There are two things that have not yet been done, Wayne Groh and Van Zant are still alive, these are two people who must die, these are rules that must be upheld, and they are goals that must be accomplished. Once again, Neil is on his way to danger, for the sake of the rules, for the sake of the goal, and for the sake of giving the gang an account...
Every time I see this, I beg in my heart: "Let's end it!" Neil! Neil! Don't go back, drop your rules once and your goals once! Just once! Let's take Edie, who is as quiet as water! "How many viewers are begging so much, turn off the computer, just as the film is over.
...... In the golden sun on the shores of New Zealand, Neil and Edie snuggle lazily on the soft sand, and their world comes to a standstill...
After killing Wayngro and Van Zant, the Neil, who was invincible from intelligence to fighting and archery, fell under Vincent's clutches, and there was not much room for return... So easy to die? There is no struggle, no dying process, not even contentment.
The majestic building collapsed, and the pillar that supported the whole building was deformed, slender, if nothing.
Neil, a professional criminal, is dead, and he once lived as amazingly and shockingly as a hero. but! The basis of all this, from the beginning, was wrong... Wrong......
Even the most extraordinary criminal is deformed, slender, and if there is none, all the prosperity on this basis will collapse in an instant, and today... Or tomorrow...
...... The golden basin washed hands of Neil sat next to Edie, and they gently held each other's hands, and behind them was the blue sea, and the sky had soaring birds. Sitting opposite the retired Vincent, two sympathetic men can finally turn from godly confidants into true friends, slowly sipping wine and possibly cigars. Their eyes were still bright, their eyes were still shining, but there was no tension or solemnity, and all that remained was ease and warmth. They talk about money, talk about dreams, talk about freedom... Perhaps, Vincent has a female companion by his side...
Michael Mann (director of "The Wire of Thieves")! Would it be nice to change it to such an ending?
There is an old saying: men are afraid of entering the wrong line!