Backdraft

Universal Pictures | Release Date: May 24, 1991

8.0	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 128 Ratings

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Johnd6780Jun 16, 2020

This film is decent but seemed like a wasted opportunity. William Baldwin’s character is well fleshed out and his journey through the film is quite well written and believable. Unfortunately no other character including kurt Russell’sThis film is decent but seemed like a wasted opportunity. William Baldwin’s character is well fleshed out and his journey through the film is quite well written and believable. Unfortunately no other character including kurt Russell’s character gets that chance.
The film is largely about Brian McCaffrey (Baldwin) so it’s a mystery why Russell is first in the cast whose character is too one dimensional. He seems to never be talking about anything but “the job”.
Scott Glenn does a great job as Adcox but seems a little uneven. His motivation only becomes clear at the very end of the film and his lack of regard for Brian is a little hard to believe given what his motivations are.
Both female leads are too one dimensional also. Not enough time is spent on the reasons for Russell and De Mornays failed marriage and Jennifer Jason Leigh’s character isn’t given a proper third act.
I liked the Irish tradition attached to the fire fighting clan party which you don’t see in films anymore and the brawl that broke out between two different surnames within the firefighting world which you get the impression has been passed through generations.
The film builds up to a good ending but overall it’s early scenes were my favourite part of the film when a quite believable world is created but not expanded enough on.
Bryan’s friend Tim should’ve gotten Atleast one more scene later in the film but for some reason is just forgotten after a significant moment for his character.
De Niro is very good as always and plays his part well but seems totally removed from the rest of the story.
A good effort but could’ve been better seems a li… Expand

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