JOHNNY HANDSOME distributed by TRI-STAR pictures (1989). It stars Mickey Rourke, Ellen Barkin, Lance Henriksen and Morgan Freeman. It was directed by Walter Hill. The production budget reached $20 million. It grabbed only $7 million at the box office.
The story surrounds John Sedley (Mickey Rourke) who has a disfigured face. People laugh and call him "Johnny Handsome." He is sent to prison after being double-crossed by a ruthless couple. He vows revenge if and when he gets out. While locked up. He meets a doctor who wants to perform a first time plastic surgery on John's face. It is a success and he is released from prison with a normal face. He still seeks revenge.
I remember when I saw preview trailers on this. I couldn't wait to see it when released. It harkens back to the 1940's with black & white film noir. "Johnny Handsome" is in color and the revenge is followed by hate fueled rage. John is given a chance to turn his life around with a new love (Elizabeth McGovern). He is also followed by a police detective (Morgan Freeman). He believes John will always be a criminal. His new face changes nothing.
This was 1989 and Hollywood studios cranked out films with happy endings. "Handsome" did not have a great ending and suffered at the box office. I think it's one of the best crime thrillers of the 1980's. I watched it recently and it stands up over time.
Click the original movie poster of JOHNNY HANDSOME for Blu-Ray.
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