After finally being released from prison, Red (Dennis Hopper) is eager to start fresh. However, he quickly returns to his old ways as a scam artist and criminal, planning to make large sums of money through deals that he believes will set him up for life. Red is running out of time to repay a significant debt owed to dangerous friends. Desperate to escape his financial troubles and hit it big simultaneously, he recruits a young gunman named Ronnie (Viggo Mortensen), who believes every word that comes out of Red’s mouth, including his promises of greatness.
As Ronnie and Red attempt to organise their new illicit business, an undercover secret service agent is tragically gunned down in the process. The agent’s partner, Jimmy (Wesley Snipes), discovers his partner’s dead body and vows to bring those responsible to justice. With very few leads and no clear suspects, Jimmy finds himself at a disadvantage, especially since he has only one week to catch the killers before being transferred to another assignment. Faced with this urgent situation, Jimmy reaches a “boiling point.”
Boiling Point is a crime drama film. Although the marketing materials, including the film’s original trailer and poster art, suggest it is an action-packed movie featuring star Wesley Snipes, this is not entirely accurate. Calling Wesley Snipes the main lead is also somewhat misleading, as much screen time is dedicated to the film’s villainous pair, Red and Ronnie. The film was directed and co-written by James B. Harris, whose previous work includes Cop (1988) and The Bedford Incident (1965).
While I was surprised by the lack of action in the film, I must admit that it contained a gripping crime story accompanied by a playful game of cat and mouse as both characters race against the clock to meet their deadlines. However, the dramatic elements of the film were a significant letdown. The drama aspects often felt uninteresting and unnecessary, coming across more like irrelevant subplots. This includes Red attempting to make amends with a past love interest and Jimmy wanting to see his son, only to be rejected by his ex-partner. Additionally, Jimmy has a side love interest named Vikki (played by Lolita Davidovich), a subplot that lacks meaningful investment or justification for its presence in the film. The film is most engaging when Red and Jimmy concentrate on their vendettas and goals.
Among the leading performances, Wesley Snipes delivers the most compelling role. His determination to seek revenge while trying to find a path toward peace—if possible, given his turbulent career—stands out. In contrast, Dennis Hopper’s portrayal of Red is energetic, playful, and loud but doesn’t bring anything particularly new to the table. This portrayal feels like many of Hopper’s previous roles and lacks a refreshing quality. Viggo Mortensen’s character, Ronnie, was enjoyable to watch. He plays a ruthless and crazed killer working for Red; however, seeing how unwise and somewhat dim-witted Ronnie appears is frustrating. He seems overly dependent on Red’s words and struggles to grasp essential concepts, which detracts from the character’s depth.
Overall, Boiling Point is a below-average film. As a crime story, it presents a compelling revenge narrative, focusing on two men pursuing a primary goal. However, the film’s excessive drama and various subplots significantly detract from its impact, making it feel less exciting. Additionally, the weak and lacklustre finale fails to provide the rewarding conclusion that viewers might expect. The film’s marketing, including the poster and trailer, suggests it is an action film with Wesley Snipes as the main lead. Unfortunately, this is misleading. While Snipes delivers the most compelling performance, there is more emphasis on the film’s villains, which didn’t resonate with me. Ultimately, Boiling Point is forgettable and disappointing, and it’s a film I would not choose to revisit anytime soon.
Boiling Point (1993) is Now Available on Blu-ray thanks to Umbrella Entertainment!
FILM SCORE: 4.3/10
Published: 4th January 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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