Pearls Before Swine
Pearls Before Swine

Movie spotlight

Pearls Before Swine

1999
Movie
96 min
English

The film portrays the life of a hitman with an interest in such things as fascism, S&M, collecting erotic literature, Doctor Who, and philosophy. The plot concerns the assassin being given a contract on a controversial author.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes25%
Metacritic45/100
Google Users67%
Director: Directed by Jonathan LynnGenres: Comedy, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

A disillusioned British academic, Professor Rowan 'Ray' Barkley, accepts a fellowship at a remote university in the American West. He soon finds himself entangled in a complex web of deceit involving a former student, a shady businessman, and a series of murders, all while navigating his own personal crises.

Critical Reception

Pearls Before Swine received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with many finding its plot convoluted and its tone uneven. While some praised the performances of its lead actors, particularly Patrick Stewart and Alan Bates, the film was largely criticized for its underdeveloped characters and predictable twists.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film struggles to balance its comedic and dramatic elements, resulting in a muddled narrative.

  • Performances from the seasoned cast are a highlight, though they can't quite save the weak script.

  • The plot is often predictable and relies on tired genre tropes.

Google audience: Audience reviews suggest that while the film has some entertaining moments and strong acting, many found the story to be convoluted and the overall execution lacking.

Fun Fact

The film was originally intended to be a darker thriller before its script was rewritten to incorporate more comedic elements, leading to its tonally inconsistent reception.

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