Special effects are, especially today, the most important aspect of film making, at least if mainstream Hollywood is concerned. Ironically, when it comes about films about film making, those that deal with the actual art of film illusion are quite rare. One of those is F/X, 1986 action thriller directed by John Mandel (also distributed with subtitle Murder by Illusion in certain markets).
Protagonist, played by Bryan Brown, is Rolland “Rollie” Tyler, Australian special effects expert who came to America and mostly worked on horrors, thrillers and other films that require spectacularly gruesome depictions of killing. One day he is approached by Martin Lipton (played by Cliff De Young), US Department of Justice official who asks him to apply his skills for delicate real life matter. He is about to stage fake murder of Nicholas DeFranco (played by Jerry Orbach), high-ranking Mafia leader who had decided to testify for government and wants to avoid retribution from his old friends. Rollie agrees and does what he is told, but afterwards Lipton apparently attempts to kill him. Rollie suddenly realises that US government officials apparently play some different game and that he might be suspected of DeFranco’s real murder. After barely surviving, Rollie will start to employ his skills and ingenuity not only to save his life, but to actually discover what is really going on. In the meantime, murders are investigated by Leo McCarthy (played by Brian Dennehy), NYPD detective who suspects that Department of Justice officials led by Colonel Mason (played by Mason Adams) might be involved in some sort of corrupt scheme.
Made with relatively low budget (and co-produced by Dodi Fayed, ill-fated lover of Princess Diana), F/X had quite ingenious and believable premise. Unfortunately, scriptwriters Gregory Fleeman and Robert T. Megginson weren’t experienced and it shows through some major plot holes, especially in the middle section of the film. Director Robert Mandel, despite action not being his forte, does solid job, especially in the beginning, when we are introduced to protagonist’s skill in staging spectacular action, as well near the end when protagonist takes out villains in rather ingenious and believable way. Casting is quite good, with Bryan Brown obviously enjoying rare opportunity for starring role in Hollywood production, while always dependable character actor Dennehy does good job despite showing relatively late in the film. Diane Venora is also good in her role, although her character of protagonist’s doomed actress girlfriend looks like a cliché. Actors playing villains leave much better impression, especially Orbach and Adams. Despite problems with script and looking bad compared with some films with similar themes (like DePalma’s classic Blow Out), F/X represents solid entertainment. During original distribution it proved to be a sleeper hit and five years later had sequel F/X2.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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