Johnny Handsome

Watch Johnny Handsome

"They changed his looks, his life and his future... but they couldn't change his past ."
  • R
  • 1989
  • 1 hr 34 min
  • 6.1  (10,895)
  • 60

Johnny Handsome is a dramatic thriller film directed by Walter Hill and released in 1989. The movie tells the story of Johnny, a disfigured and congenitally deformed man who seeks revenge against those who wronged him in the past. The movie stars Mickey Rourke as Johnny, Ellen Barkin as his love interest, and Elizabeth McGovern as a kindhearted nurse who helps Johnny overcome his past traumas.

The film starts with Johnny, a career criminal, getting arrested and sentenced to prison for a series of robberies. During his time in prison, Johnny decides to turn his life around and live an honest life once he is released. However, a fellow criminal, Rafe (Lance Henriksen), sabotages Johnny's plan by setting him up for a brutal assault that leaves him badly disfigured and scarred.

After undergoing plastic surgery, Johnny emerges with a new face and a new chance at life. He uses his fresh appearance to infiltrate Rafe's gang and plans to exact revenge on the people who betrayed him. Along the way, Johnny meets and falls in love with a beautiful woman named Sunny, played by Ellen Barkin, who nurses him back to health and helps him come to grips with his painful past.

The performances in the movie are excellent, especially Mickey Rourke's portrayal of a man scarred both inside and outside. Johnny is a complex character with both strengths and flaws, and Rourke does an excellent job of convincingly depicting his vulnerabilities and inner turmoil. Barkin's performance as Sunny is also noteworthy - she plays the role of a loving, strong woman who believes in Johnny, despite his past mistakes.

The film's cinematography is also noteworthy, with a focus on depicting a gritty and harsh world that Johnny inhabits. The movie was filmed in the streets of New Orleans, providing a gritty and realistic background for the story. The action scenes are well-choreographed and provide a visceral thrill to viewers.

One of the remarkable aspects of Johnny Handsome is its exploration of themes of personal transformation, redemption, and forgiveness. The movie presents a nuanced portrayal of Johnny, a man with a violent past, who seeks to leave his past behind and start afresh, but faces challenges at every turn. The film suggests that with hard work and a steadfast belief in oneself, it is possible to overcome even the most profound damage that life can inflict.

Overall, Johnny Handsome is a moving, engaging drama that explores themes of personal transformation, redemption, and revenge. The film's phenomenal performances, excellent cinematography, and skillful storytelling make it a must-see for fans of the genre. It is a movie that sticks with you long after the credits roll, a testament to its superior craftsmanship and memorable performances.

Johnny Handsome is a 1989 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 60.

Johnny Handsome
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Where to Watch Johnny Handsome
Johnny Handsome is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Johnny Handsome for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1989
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 34 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.1  (10,895)
  • Metascore
    60
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