Can you tell I’ve been on a bit of a movie kick?
This time, I’m watching a little retro Schwarzenegger in True Lies. This spy-romance-thriller from 1994 is a James Cameron film you’ll want to add to your collection. It’s a perfect retro film that has aged surprisingly well – provided you understand a stunt coordinator was a complete ass who should be in jail; more on that soon.
Let’s check out the trailer and movie posters! The trailer was well received and was set to be a box office hit before it even reached cinemas; although Schwarzenegger’s previous film – Last Action Hero (1993) was considered a flop. Oooh – Last Action Hero… I should watch that again…. no no… True Lies – let’s focus:
Check out all that action! You’d never know it has an epic love story.
Now, before you disappear – just hear me out.
Yes, some of the acting is a little cringy – but that’s something you have to accept with a 90’s movie…
When I got comfy on the couch to watch this movie, with subtitles and a cup of Yorkshire tea of course, I really enjoyed the romance story. The idea that a man could be a completely different person; have lied to his partner for so long, and they are still able to work through it.
You may not know, because you are probably less weird than I am, but Schwarzenegger had always wanted to play a ‘super secret spy’ in a film; but he felt like he had yet to find the right film.
Enter James Cameron. Just casually hanging out and watching movies with the Govenator…
Schwarzenegger showed Cameron a french film La Totale! (a 1991 action film) and essentially after watching the film, Cameron loved the idea of presenting a secret agent with nearly unlimited professional resources as a family man, basically asking the question “who would James Bond be if he got home and had to answer to his wife?” and decided to make the movie. Schwarzenegger, of course, was always gonna be the hero!
OK OK… let’s watch the trailer.
As an R Rated Movie – that was shown to me as a kid – I can honestly say I don’t understand why it has an R rating. Most people my age will remember seeing this before they were 18 – I guess it was a different time…
Yes, there is Jamie Lee Curtis empowering women everywhere with her awkward to sexy dance – FYI; I’m still in the awkward stage – and – sure, the death count is about 90 – but again I just don’t understand it. It’s not gruesome violence – just standard good guy/bad guy shooting and deaths.
Even with the violence and partial nudity; I’d recommend this for a friends movie night – provided you’re friends with well-rounded individuals. Some people may find the nudity confronting, choosing in giggle awkwardly or bury their face in their hands – however I would argue this opens up a responsible adult conversation around sex; something missing from a lot of lives. I, personally, enjoyed her legal secretary to spy change scene in the hotel corridor. I feel this short ‘makeover’ scene is just as empowering as the lingerie dance scene – showing women they too can change their looks to match their imagination.
As a movie night choice, your partner might enjoy the less subtle approach to long term marriage topics covered throughout the film – trust, communication, openness, honesty and cheating – mixed with the fast paced action scenes. I don’t know a single woman who doesn’t enjoy seeing a 1990’s Schwarzenegger six pack…. but you can always be the first…
During the writing of the film, Cameron had originally written the striptease scene with Helen Tasker (Curtis) completely naked but in dark lighting. Curtis had other plans, however, convincing Cameron that a well-lit lingerie wearing Tasker awkwardly dancing was the way to go – and trust me – the internet thanks you Jamie Lee Curtis!
I believe the striptease from True Lies accurately portrays the true character of Helen Tasker; providing her with the emotional makeover she has been looking for. Starting as awkward as most of us feel in such revealing lingerie, Curtis embraces the scene transforming the awkward legal secretary into the sexual goddess she’s always wanted to be. I envy you Jamie!
In what, I hope, was a tit-for-tat compromise, Curtis agreed to complete the final helicopter stunt herself – which if you’ve seen True Lies, is a truly amazing feat. Curtis completed filming the climatic scene on her 35th birthday – which I’ve gotta say is a seriously cool way to spend your birthday; if you have to be at work.
True Lies provides a well paced action film with a romantic undertone that even the most masculine of men can appreciate. The film follows long-time married couple Helen and Harry Tasker as they navigate typical long-term relationship issues such as trust, communication and cheating.
Unfortunately, it’s not all good news when in comes to True Lies, the cast and the crew. Eliza Dushku, who was 12 at the time, announced in 2018 that during her time filming True Lies, she was groomed and molested by then 36 yr old stunt coordinator Joel Kramer. While prominent members of the cast and crew praised her, showing their respect and admiration for her bravery, Kramer is still working in the film industry – with recent credits in films and TV shows such as Blade Runner 2049, Star Trek: Discovery and Westworld.
Is this OK? No. I don’t think child abusers should get away with their crimes.
So what’s the takeaway?
True Lies is a great romantic spy story for mature people to enjoy – keeping in mind it’s rated R. Parents should keep in mind there are some empowering sexual scenes for Jamie Lee Curtis – which yes, she is wearing her own lingerie and practically choreographed herself!
With 90 people killed, and a standard middle eastern terrorist plot to be foiled, the men in your life will enjoy the action scenes and cheesy one-liners. While the movie received some backlash for the stereotypical middle eastern terrorists and was a traumatic grooming period for Dushku ~ not OK film people! ~ True Lies is an action-packed romantic adventure for your movie night.
Till next time.