Equinox

Starring: Matthew Modine, Lara Flynn Boyle, L. Singer, F. Ward, M.Emmett Walsh, Marisa Tomei

Dreamlike, gripping nouveau thriller about a hapless auto mechanic and his lost twin gangster brother. Rudolph, a true talent (Hal Hartley wishes he were this good) defies expectations at every turn. He has a fluid, mesmerizing camera style that nevertheless avoids pretension. The actors are superb, especially Modine (in a double role), and Boyle, though nobody strikes a false note. The script truly original. It's hard to say exactly where this picture falls--something like a cross between John Sayles (thinking of "City of Hope," as this picture has some of the same stream of consciousness feeling) and DePalma (because of the thriller aspects). But Rudolph is original enough to keep this exploration of the good side/bad side theme fresh and constantly intriguing. Really good. (8/23/93)