Against All Odds [Special Edition]

Movie 7 of 1984 and 117 overall in my journey through films of my lifetime.In the 80's it was regular practice to make multiple sundry visits, several days a week, to one of several local VHS rental establishments. They were as ubiquitous as fast food restaurants, almost. When you would enter these establishments you would see the same covers or "sleeves" over and over every week. Great marketing. I still remember these. "Against All Odds's" cover is seared in my brain. I never forgot it. For one reason or another it slipped through the cracks and I never saw it. Back then I would have been thoroughly bored with it. Today? I found it intriguing."Against All Odds" lived up to its name. In fact there were multiple scenes that started out with me rolling my eyes but ended up winning me over. Eventually the whole movie won me over. Unlike "Firestarter" it wasn't entertaining or fun necessarily (not that "Firestarter" had those elements in spades either!) but it did make me think. For example there was a race scene that seemed so laborious and pointlessly long, yet, by the end of it, I understood that it showed me something about these "frienemies." By the final act it paid off. Another fairly brilliant concept is how Ward's character ends up proving that her love was real when it was in doubt. This was far from my favorite movie of the retrospective but it has its own place as a good movie and well told story. It wasn't perfect but it gave me what I really like in a movie: something to think about.I found the music to be very interesting. Sometimes it was out of place but other times it definitely enhanced the drama. I must say it was very unique. I don't believe I've ever heard a soundtrack like this before.Finally I'd like to applaud the decision to end the movie with a question rather than an answer. This is rare, and it's bold in my opinion. One can easily imagine how things turned out for the characters but the story ends messy with characters that have a lot of baggage.As a side: why do low budget movie makers want to make science fiction or action? Why try to make a movie that can't look good no matter what? This movie, while far from low budget, could have been made by an up-and-comer for a limited amount of money and the pay off would probably have been a career in film making. I'm thinking of "Following" by Christopher Nolan. Low budget but very little demand for special effects or stars. "Against All Odds" would be an amazing Nolan project actually.Pros-good story-beautiful movieCons-slow at times

This film really took me by surprise, I did not expect much from it except a romantic melodrama where the good guy gets the girl at the end. Well, it sure is not that type of a movie. The lines between good guy and bad guy are really blurry here, and the love in this one comes with a "double edge sword". This movie borders on-the-line between movies like "9 1/2 Weeks" (1986)- "Cocktail" (1988) - "Tequila Sunrise" (1988) - "Revenge" (1990) - and "Breathless" (1983). I would dare to classify this one as a romantic thriller/ with a very neo-noir plot-line. The acting is really good, the twists and turns make the movie even more interesting, and the chemistry between Jeff Bridges and Rachel Ward is purely amazing...they seem genuinely in love with each other...the scenes that involve their love making are HOT HOT HOT!!! The movie also stars Richard Widmark, an actor famous for his dark character portrayals in 1940's and 1950's noir films.Phil Collins wrote the song "Against all Odds (Take A look at Me Now) in 1984 specifically for this movie.BTW Jeff Bridges in the 1980's was probably getting a lot of attention from the ladies.

Terry Brogan(Jeff Bridges), an aging football player in L.A., is cut early in the season; he needs money, so he takes a job from a shady friend of his, Jake Wise(James Woods), to track down Wise's girlfriend Jessie(Rachel Ward), who's somewhere in Mexico. She's also the daughter of a very wealthy land developer, who owns Terry's team. So he heads for Cozumel, finds Jessie, and promptly falls in love with her.He thinks it's mutual, then without warning, she heads back to L.A. and Jake. What's going on with her, and what's the connection between Jake's hold on Jessie and the various politicians, lawyers, and environmentalists who seem to be converging on some sort of land deal? Terry keeps looking for answers as dark passions explode in this steamy, sinister love story, but Terry's mission is soon forgotten when trouble brews.This drama flick also takes me back to memory lane to when I was 11 years old in the 5th grade during its theatrical release in the Spring of 1984.

The quality of the video was very good and watching it brought back a lot of fond memories. But sadly, watching it now some 30 or so years later, I have to say that the movie was really disappointing. The plot was ridiculous and the whole scam was outlandish. And why did everyone have to go to Cancun, Mexico to resolve all their issues? The actors were all in their prime and the scenery was lavish and wonderful (even smoggy Los Angeles overlooking the 405 freeway). I had just never realized how convoluted the story was. Just another movie that on second or third look has not improved with age.

I have a Ph.D. in film studies, and I was delighted to discover this gem. The film is a (loose) remake of Out of the Past. Jeff Bridges and James Woods are superb and Rachel Ward's wonderful performance leaves me scratching my head as to why she does not have a more high profile career. The appearance of Jane Greer and Paul Valentine (femme fatale Kathy and Henchman Joe in Out of the Past) is also a nice surprise. Taylor Hackford's commentaries (one with Woods and Bridges and one with the screenwriter Hughes) are also interesting and intelligent. I will be including this film in my next film class.

One of the best movies of the 80's! Jeff Bridges is amazing, as always. Rachel Ward is the woman in the middle, playing both guys against each other to perfection. She has her reasons and James Woods is as always the best bad ass ever. He plays them so well!Love it so much! Will watch it again and again and the sound track, superb!.

This was a fun movie to watch again after all these years.

"Against All Odds" is one of my favorite movies of all time (I actually met James Woods here in Chicago many years ago when he was here filming "Straight Talk"with Dolly Parton) and I've been wanting to add this to my disc collection (had it on VHS for years).

Remember seeing half of this movie 30 years ago with friends. Heard soundtrack by Phil Collins on radio and finally decided to finish it. It did not disappoint. Jeff Bridges, James woods good performances. Rachel Ward lit up the screen. Enjoy

Great movie!

Great old movie.

A classic: transports one back to 1980s nightlife and winter trips to Mexico. including Tulum and Chichen Itsa

Le produit m'a été livré dans le délai prévu. La qualité mentionnée était exacte. Je suis très satisfait et je recommande fortement ce vendeur. Excellent sur toute la ligne !