Watch Catchfire

Catchfire is a 1990 crime drama film featuring an all-star cast, including Dennis Hopper, Jodie Foster, and Dean Stockwell. The movie starts with artist Anne Benton (Jodie Foster) working as a witness to a mob hit, and subsequently, she finds herself in fear of being killed by the hitman who notices her presence. Her life changes dramatically when she meets JD (Dennis Hopper), a seasoned ex-cop who was hired by the same hitman to kill her. Instead, JD sets out on a dangerous journey with Anne to protect her from the mafia.

As Anne and JD hit the road, they go through a wild adventure encountering different people like business owner, John Lupino (Dean Stockwell) who hopes to exploit Anne's artistic talent. When John discovers that the mafia is after Anne, he tries to present her to the criminals as a valuable artwork so that he can get out of financial trouble. The gangsters discover the plan and this presents more danger to Anne and JD.

Throughout the movie, JD tries to protect Anne and keep her safe, although Anne continues to have doubts about his true intentions. In the absence of a feasible escape plan, their relationship grows deep, and they start developing feelings for each other. However, JD’s secrets begin to unravel as Anne becomes more curious about his past and motives.

The film features some engaging characters as the story progresses. Hopper, who also directed the movie, stars as a renegade bodyguard with an unconventional way of dealing with problems. His character is mysterious, unpredictable, and filled with many secrets. Foster’s character, Anne Benton, is an ambitious artist with an independent spirit, but she is ultimately vulnerable and needs protection. Dean Stockwell, known for his appearances in Blue Velvet and Quantum Leap, delivers an excellent performance as John Lupino, the opportunistic businessman hoping to profit from Anne's situation.

Catchfire takes the audience on a journey of self-discovery, trust and an action-packed adventure. Throughout the movie, the audience witnesses Anne grow tougher as events unfold, with JD’s guidance. JD, on the other hand, has a chance at redemption by protecting someone he cares about. Hopper’s expertise in directing is evident in the fluid camera movement and the smooth editing, which adds to the tense nature of the story.

The score, composed by Tony Banks of Genesis, adds to the movie's thriller nature, and the cinematography captures the beauty and wonder of the road trips. The film's ending is completely unique and delivers a finale that is both unexpected and satisfying.

Overall, Catchfire is an exciting crime thriller that showcases exceptional performances by its lead actors. The film takes you on a heart-thumping journey of action and suspense, while the engaging storyline and strong direction ensure that it remains one of Hopper’s most memorable directorial efforts, even if it was originally released under a different name, and subsequently received an unusual distribution history. Nevertheless, Catchfire stands as a compelling reminder of Hopper’s talent and artistry both in front of and behind the camera.

Catchfire is a 1990 drama with a runtime of 3 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.