Johnny Handsome
Johnny Handsome

Johnny Handsome

1989
Movie
94 min
English

A career criminal who has been deformed since birth is given a new face by a kindly doctor and paroled from prison. It appears that he has gone straight, but he is really planning his revenge on the man who killed his mentor and sent him to prison.

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Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes33%
Metacritic47/100
Google Users65%
Director: Walter HillGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A disfigured, mentally slow man named John is given a chance at a new life through reconstructive surgery. After his transformation, he seeks revenge on the people who wronged him and exploited him in his former life. He navigates a dangerous underworld of betrayal and violence as he hunts down those responsible.

Critical Reception

Johnny Handsome received mixed to negative reviews from critics. While some praised Walter Hill's signature stylish direction and Mickey Rourke's committed performance, many found the plot convoluted and predictable. Audience reception was also lukewarm, with the film failing to make a significant impact at the box office.

What Reviewers Say

  • Mickey Rourke delivers a compelling performance as the titular character.
  • Walter Hill's directorial style is evident, but the film's narrative is considered weak.
  • The supporting cast is strong, though underutilized in places.

Google audience: Audiences generally found the film to be a decent, albeit somewhat flawed, crime thriller. Mickey Rourke's portrayal was frequently highlighted as a strong point, but the plot was often criticized for being predictable and not fully developed. Some viewers appreciated the film's gritty atmosphere.

Fun Fact

The film's makeup artist, Jeff Dawn, won a Saturn Award for Best Makeup for his work on Mickey Rourke's character.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
John Chard

John Chard

Walter Hill's undervalued neo-noir. Johnny Handsome is directed by Walter Hill and adapted to screenplay by Ken Friedman from the novel "The Three Worlds of Johnny Handsome" written by John Godey. It stars Mickey Rourke, Ellen Barkin, El...