646f9e108c Chris Lloyd does NOT get along with his father Walter. Walter is too careful, cautious, and boring to Chris, and never tries anything new, and Chris had to live by the same standards when he was growing up. But when his mother is kidnapped while in Europe, to Chris's confusion, Walter suddenly turns into a man of action. Just who is his father anyway. When American Donna Lloyd is kidnapped during a trip to Europe, her son Chris and her husband Walter start searching for her. From 1985: "Target," directed by Arthur Penn, stars Gene Hackman and Matt Dillon as father and son.<br/><br/>"Target" concerns the abduction of Walter Lloyd's (Hackman) wife while she is in France with a tour group. Lloyd understands the implications immediately, but his son Chris (Matt Dillon) doesn't: Someone is after Lloyd, or information in his possession. Father and son leave immediately for Europe to find her. There, Chris learns information about his father that he never knew. And that's all I can say without giving the game away - which, if you've seen a lot of these films, is pretty apparent.<br/><br/>The problem with "Target" is in the beginning of the film, which has a TV-movie feel to it. Plus, despite locations in Paris and Germany later on, the beginning has a cheap feel to it due to the music and credits, not to mention some trite dialogue and the usual "try to get to know your son while I'm away" speech. It's a bad set-up.<br/><br/>Gene Hackman is terrific as Walter, and Matt Dillon is fine as his son. The standout performance, in my opinion, is by the great acting guru and Broadway star Herbert Berghof in a rare film appearance toward the end of the movie. There are some excellent European actors as well, including the Russian actress Viktoriya Fyodorova.<br/><br/>If not for the beginning, which threw me off, this would have been a better film. When Gene Hackman is unmasked by his son, played by Matt Dillon, that he is a former CIA agent he suddenly has a different view of his father. Hackman has to trace down his kidnapped wife and Dillon comes along for the ride. Hackman and Dillon make a good and sometimes funny team as father and son. This movie doesn't seem to be known very well, but it deserves a fair shake just like any other movie. It isn't the best movie in the world, but it isn't the worst movie either. If any one actually gets on this page and reads this comment I suggest they go find this movie to rent and see what I'm talking about.
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364 weeks ago