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Assassination Tango
One can certainly make a case that Robert Duvall’s latest directorial effort is nothing more than just a vanity project. Compared to 1997’s The Apostle, there is a feeling of levity in Tango both in its story and performances. This is Duvall’s fourth film, the other two being 1975’s We’re Not the Jet Set – a rodeo documentary, and 1983’s Angelo, My Love.
Duvall brings together two interesting stories – a hired assassin with a certain love for tango. That, in itself, has potential. But under Robert Duvall’s hands, both the story and the performances suffer as everything is put on autopilot. Duvall gives very little direction to his supporting cast and even puts his real-life longtime girlfriend and newcomer Luciana Pedraza in a key role. But she lacks the presence needed for the part. Duvall looks tired in this film and so is his story and direction.
Assassination Tango contains two stories. The first, assassination, doesn’t really work while the other, tango, might hold other audience’s interest. It barely held mine.
~Edwin
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