Who Is Cletis Tout?

2002 "Getting the alias was half the battle. Surviving it is the other."
Who Is Cletis Tout?
6.3| 1h32m| R| en| More Info
Released: 26 July 2002 Released
Producted By: Seven Arts Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

A comedy about a hitman who sees everything in terms of the movies and how mistaken identity is getting in the way of recovering a stash of diamonds that was stolen and subsequently hidden more than 20 years earlier.

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Lee Eisenberg "Who Is Cletis Tout?" is a strange, mildly confusing, but fairly entertaining movie about mistaken identities, as told by a young woman (Portia de Rossi), a hit-man (Tim Allen) and some other people. It's a little hard to follow, but nice entertainment in a pinch. I just really liked Allen's movie-centric mnemonics, and it's good to see him doing a more serious role.So, this movie's OK as simple entertainment; don't expect any kind of religious experience. Also starring Richard Dreyfuss and Christian Slater.So yes, Capt. American, let's all sing in the rain.
jpschapira A movie comes, not so often, that can have some really bad elements; it can be a bad movie. But at the same time, it can have some really good elements; adding the bad elements, it is a regular movie. The number 6 means regular movie, but doesn't necessarily means some good and bad elements.For example, this is a comedy and it doesn't generate much laughs. I mean, it is not that you're crying during the film. You're smiling, but not laughing out-loud. The premise for the film is a totally original, and a very good one. The problem is that it doesn't convince. The story isn't that believable because it is impossible for the filmmakers to make something different. You can tell they are afraid being different won't work. Maybe they should be, but people will never find out if this movie could have been a lot better; it had the elements to achieve that goal.I was loving it; creating a character in a movie that loves movies and wants to make another movie. Not so confusing as it sounds. Critical Jim calls himself a critic. The interesting thing is that he is a murderer, but loves old movies; classics. He loves movies that much that he knows the best lines of each classic; and says the line, together with the name of the movie and the studio. Impressing. He loves movies that much that he creates secret codes with the letters of director's and actor's last names or names. This is an incredibly original character. I don't remember seeing something similar before. But is just Critical Jim the only original character. The others; we have seen them before. Another disappointment is that the premise is based on Critical Jim's character and his love for movies. But the movie betrays Critical Jim, betrays its story, and it ultimately betrays itself. Not funny, but with comedic actors in it. Tim Allen plays Critical Jim, in a delightful and surprising performance at the same time. This film could give him a lesson about choosing parts/roles. He plays Critical Jim like you've never seen him, totally distanced from his usual roles. It's the first time I have seen him acting naturally, and not doing the stupid things he usually does. It actually works better for him that way (or at least better than in "The Santa Clause" and "Jungle To Jungle"). This is his best performance, alongside with the one in "Galaxy Quest".As I said, the rest of the characters are familiar. Christian Slater's Finch is just another character that doesn't need any special gift to be played. It could be played by anyone, but I was not disappointed by Slater's performance (which doesn't mean I was amazed). He is not the greatest actor. He has had a calmed career and I hope he continues that way. I remember loving him in "The name of the rose". Portia de Rossi is not the right choice for her role, and doesn't seem comfortable playing it, but gives her best anyway (and that's not much). Dreyfuss could be playing a small part, more than a title one. He is natural and gives some of the comedic rhythm the film lacks. RuPaul is in the cover, but...why?Finch tells the story to Critical Jim because the critic likes old movies, and wants to make a movie of the story. A movie with the elements of an old movie; a classic. Unluckily, the flashback they create doesn't have the elements of an old movie, as they suppose it has. It has the elements of the movies we see everyday.
Claudio Carvalho In a penitentiary, the forger Trevor Allen Finch (Christin Slater) organizes the escape of his friend and former magician Micah Donnelly (Richard Dreyfuss). Twenty years ago, Micah stole a fortune in diamonds and has promised one million dollars to Trevor if he is succeed in the plan. In the end, they escape together, they meet Micah's daughter Tess Donnelly (Portia de Rossi) and Trevor achieves with a friend of him new identities for both of them. The new identity of Trevor is Cletis Tout, a reporter executed by Mafia, who witnessed the murder of a hooker by the mobster Rowdy Virago (Joseph Scoren). The Mafia believes Cletis is alive and hires Critical Jim (Tim Allen), a hitman who loves old movies, to kill Cletis. While waiting for his payment, Jim decides to listen to the saga of Trevor, comparing it with the screenplay of a film. This non-linear script is certainly made with the intention of being a cult movie. With many citations of important movies, and funny and nice characters, it is impossible not to like this story, which is a kind of popcorn Pulp Fiction without explicit violence. A good entertainment and a great surprise for me. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): `O Alvo Errado' (`The Wrong Target')
aimdav This one at least, is original. Even though it does follow many clichés and movie plots, it does so with individuality. It's real focus is the story, it doesn't build to any dramatic, heart-stopping climax, but its better that way, it gives it an even flow. And makes it comfortable unpredictable.The film is written and directed by Chris Ver Wiel, it seems it is his story, his piece, that he wrote and directed, I am a fan of that sort of novelty.Nice for an entertaining, easy-going, story movie. Watch it some evening when you feel like curling up with a good book. That is my best analogy for it.8 out of 10, for what it is.