Point Blank Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Man wakes up from a nap in Alcatraz, really wants his $93,000 back, and aggressively audits a bunch of middle managers to find it, but maybe it was all a dream.

🍿 Point Blank: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Betrayal at Alcatraz

Walker and Mal Reese, partners in crime, execute a heist at the now-defunct Alcatraz prison. Reese, needing the money to settle debts with a shadowy organization, betrays Walker, shooting him and leaving him for dead. He then flees with Walker’s wife, Lynne, and the stolen $93,000.

Seeking Revenge and His Due

Against all odds, Walker survives. Driven by a thirst for revenge and the need to reclaim his stolen money, he embarks on a relentless pursuit of Reese. His journey takes him through the underbelly of Los Angeles, a landscape of sterile buildings and concrete riverbeds, reflecting the cold and impersonal nature of the criminal world he navigates. He begins with Lynne, who is now with Reese, for information.

Climbing the Corporate Ladder of Crime

Walker’s investigation leads him to Chris, Lynne’s sister, who becomes both an ally and a potential love interest. As Walker closes in on Reese, he uncovers a complex network of organized crime, forcing him to confront increasingly powerful figures within ‘The Organization’. Each encounter brings him closer to his goal but also deeper into a world of deceit and violence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Walker (Lee Marvin): A relentless and taciturn man seeking to retrieve his stolen $93,000 and exact revenge on those who betrayed him.
• Mal Reese (John Vernon): A criminal who double-crosses Walker, stealing his money and wife, sparking Walker’s vengeful quest.
• Chris (Angie Dickinson): The sister of Walker’s ex-wife who aids him in his pursuit of Reese, becoming entangled in the violent aftermath.
• Lynne (Sharon Acker): Walker’s ex-wife who betrayed him with Reese, setting off the chain of events leading to Walker’s revenge.
• Yost (Keenan Wynn): A mysterious figure who provides Walker with information and assistance, hinting at a hidden agenda within ‘The Organization’.
• Brewster (Carroll O’Connor): A high-ranking member of ‘The Organization’ that Walker confronts in his pursuit of the stolen money.
• Frederick Carter (Lloyd Bochner): Another high-ranking member of ‘The Organization’ involved in the heist and the subsequent betrayal.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Walker: “I want my money.” – Walker’s constant refrain throughout the movie, highlighting his relentless pursuit of what he’s owed.
• Chris: “Hey. What’s my last name?” – Chris poses this question to Walker after they sleep together, emphasizing the emotional distance between them.
• Walker: “What’s my first name?” – Walker’s response to Chris highlights his detached and impersonal nature, answering a question with another question.
• Brewster: “You’re a very bad man, Walker, a very destructive man!” – Brewster says this to Walker, showcasing the chaos and destruction Walker leaves in his wake as he climbs the ladder.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2.5M
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Point Blank Reviews

Personal Review

I first saw ‘Point Blank’ late one night and was instantly hooked. Lee Marvin’s performance is just magnetic; he barely says a word, but you feel every ounce of his rage and determination. The scene where he confronts his ex-wife is haunting, and the nightclub scene is pure visual chaos. It’s one of those movies that really sticks with you.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Lee Marvin”
  • “Viewers interested in neo-noir films”
  • “Those who appreciate experimental filmmaking”
  • “People who like revenge thrillers”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Gun violence”
  • “Adult themes”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• The New Yorker: “Boorman’s stylish direction and Marvin’s stoic performance elevate a simple revenge story. The film’s fragmented narrative and bold visual choices create a disorienting, yet compelling, experience that lingers long after the credits roll. The violence is stylized, but the underlying themes of betrayal and corporate corruption resonate deeply.
• Variety: “A brutal and stylish crime thriller featuring Lee Marvin at his toughest. The film’s innovative use of flashbacks and disorienting editing keeps the audience on edge. While the plot may be straightforward, the execution is anything but, making for a memorable and impactful cinematic experience.

Audience Reactions

Lee Marvin’s stoic performance is legendary.: Viewers are impressed by the unique visual style and the film’s atmosphere of unrelenting tension.

The ambiguous ending sparks endless debate and interpretation.: Many viewers appreciate the film’s complex themes and its willingness to challenge conventional genre tropes.

Overall Consensus: A highly influential and stylish neo-noir thriller with a legendary lead performance from Lee Marvin, though some find the narrative confusing.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director John Boorman was heavily influenced by the French New Wave and incorporated experimental techniques like fragmented timelines and jump cuts, which were unconventional for American crime films at the time.”
• “James Sikking initially failed his audition because Boorman thought he looked too nice to play a killer. Sikking then stood outside Boorman’s office for a week, staring menacingly at him, which eventually convinced Boorman to give him the part.”
• “Point Blank was one of the first major films to be shot on location at Alcatraz Island after the prison closed in 1963.”

🖥️ How to Watch Point Blank?

Point Blank (1967) is available for purchase or rental on various platforms. Check online retailers like Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play for availability. Streaming options might include services like Prime Video, but availability can vary by region and subscription.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Point Blank, you might like these similar films:

• Get Carter (1971): A British neo-noir crime film centered on a ruthless enforcer seeking revenge, similar to Point Blank’s focus on vengeance and gritty realism.
• Le Samouraï (1967): A French neo-noir film about a detached hitman, sharing stylistic and thematic similarities with Point Blank’s exploration of isolation and professional violence.
• Payback (1999): This Mel Gibson film is a more straightforward remake of ‘The Hunter’ (the same source novel), offering a modern take on the revenge plot.
• The Long Goodbye (1973): A neo-noir that updates the classic Philip Marlowe character into the 1970s, sharing Point Blank’s subversion of genre conventions and ambiguous morality.

🛒 Point Blank Related Products

• Lee Marvin: His Life and Films: A biography exploring the life and career of Lee Marvin, focusing on his impact on film and his roles in iconic movies like Point Blank.
• 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback: A diecast model replica of the sleek Mustang featured prominently in ‘Point Blank’, capturing its classic design.
• Point Blank [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray release of the film, featuring enhanced visuals and sound, director’s commentary, and behind-the-scenes content.
• Donald Westlake’s Parker: The Hunter: The first novel in Donald Westlake’s Parker series, upon which Point Blank is based, written under the pseudonym Richard Stark. The original inspiration for the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Point Blank features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Mighty Good Times” – performed by Stu Gardner Trio
• “Score from Point Blank” – performed by Johnny Mandel

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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