evidently this film be release overseas before it be see locally . bob rafelson be an excellent screen writer who know a lot about what be go on in the american cinema . a a director and he doesn not bring anything new to this dashiell hammett short story adaptation . perhaps he wasn not help by the screen play of christopher canaan . the hammett story be one of his best one . the idea of the kind policeman and jack friar and try to investigate something for a neighbor and bring him into a situation that will ensnare him and a he discover the people in the house be plan a caper and take him prisoner . the acting be interest in general . samuel l. jackson have to act tie to a chair throughout the movie . his scene with erin and play with gusto by milla jovovich and bring a sensuality to the screen that add another dimension to the story . stellan skargard make a mean tyrone . doug hutchison be intense a hoop and tyrone partner in crime . grace zabriskie and joss ackland be see a the quarres and a couple that be involve in the robbery . ms. zabriskie and an excellent actress and have great moment a the old woman who present a kind front and but be no good . joss ackland and a veteran english stage and screen actor and doesn not have much to do . the film and while predictable and offer some good moment . bob rafelson know how to motivate his actor to give above the average performance .