No Way Out

Though Robert Garland’s screenplay periodically stretches the very limits of credibility, No Way Out primarily comes off as a fast-moving and increasingly compelling thriller that boasts a number of thoroughly captivating performances. Kevin Costner stars Tom Farrell, a naval officer whose relationship with a sultry socialite (Sean Young’s Susan Atwell) lands him in hot water after she’s murdered by Gene Hackman’s David Brice. Brice, the Secretary of Defense (and Tom’s boss), immediately puts his henchman (Will Patton’s Scott Pritchard) on the case, and it’s not long before Tom finds himself forced to cover up his connection to the dead woman (lest he be accused of committing the crime). The romantic triangle that forms much of No Way Out‘s opening half hour admittedly does ensure that things get off to a deliberate start, yet there’s little doubt that the movie ultimately morphs into an unexpectedly tense effort as the walls begin to close in on Costner’s character. The suspenseful atmosphere is only heightened by the actors’ uniformly strong work, although (as effective as Costner and Hackman are) it’s Patton – placed within the confines of an exceedingly reprehensible and enjoyably smarmy figure – who delivers the movie’s most engaging performance.

*** out of ****