Bound

Bound is the story of Corky, an-ex con who tries to go on the straight and narrow after being released from prison. However, this is made difficult by the fact that her landlord, Caesar is a mafioso. But it isCeasar’s girlfriend Violet who becomes the actual problem. Untrustworthy yet seductive, Violet enters into an affair with Corky. This leads to Violet saying they should steal $2 million from Caesar and run away together. The plan to get the money is elaborate to begin with and becomes even more so as players they don’t expect enter the scenario. Corky must trust the surprisingly manipulative Violet to not sell her out.

Bound was the first major film made by the Wachowski siblings. As such, the movie is a little rough but shows a lot of promise that the director pair had some real talent. Even though objectively it’s a little rougher than any of their post-Matrix films like Speed Racer or Jupiter Ascending, Bound is charming in a way that those films are. It shows potential instead of already reached potential being squandered.

The Wachowskis wanted to make Bound a noir crime film with all the classic elements. Because the film was shot and takes place in the 90’s, this can feel kind of weird. This is most noticeable in the character of Violet, played by Jennifer Tilly. Violet affects a classic high-pitched feminine voice and for most of the film, dresses in 40’s style fashion. Likewise, Ceasar also seems to relish far too much in the 40’s era of gangsters. The out-of-time feeling gangster couple of Ceasar and Violet mesh poorly with Corky who is stuck quite firmly in the 90’s. The scenes between Violet and Corky in particular can feel a little like oil and water as it feels like they are characters from two very separate movies.

Bound’s plot does not hinge on the fact that the relationship is homosexual. That Corky and Violet were two women is rather incidental. The skills and personality traits these characters have is what moves the plot forward. I applaud that. It’s also a queer lady film with actual violence that resolves happily for the queer ladies so that’s a delightful rarity.

At the end of the day, Bound is a solid movie with a unique style and point of view. Do I wish it was a little more refined? Yes. But even in its somewhat unfocused, weirdly stylized state, Bound has both charm and entertainment value than most queer films I’ve watched.

Overall rating: 8.4/10

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