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Geena Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Malahide, Craig Bierko, Brian Cox ... see more see more... , David Morse , Tom Amandes , Rex Linn , Joe McKenna , Alan North , Renny Harlin , G.D. Spradlin , Melina Kanakaredes , Yvonne Zima

An ordinary woman discovers that her life was not always ordinary in this action thriller. Samantha Caine (Geena Davis) is a typical, well-mannered single mother working as a schoolteacher when she is... read more read more...n't looking after her children. Nothing on the surface would seem to be remarkable about Samantha's life, but every once in a while she has vague memories and unexplained impulses that don't add up with her current life experience; she has scars but no idea of how they got there, she suddenly displays a deadly talent for knife-throwing while chopping vegetables for dinner, and when she sees a deer, she suddenly attacks it with her bare hands. When an auto accident and a television news broadcast stirs some more uncomfortable memories, Samantha hires private investigator Mitch Hennessey (Samuel L. Jackson) to look into her past and see what he can find. Mitch learns that Samantha isn't really Samantha after all -- her name is Charley and she used to be a professional assassin with a secret government intelligence program. After a severe head injury, Charley developed a case of amnesia, and in time she developed her new personality as Samantha. However, her old boss has kept tabs on her, and now that it looks as if the old Charley is starting to come out again, he sends a pair of hit men after her to see to it that she doesn't remember anything else; soon Samantha and Mitch are on the run, trying to outdistance the killers as they get to the bottom of Charley's secret life. The Long Kiss Goodnight was directed by Renny Harlin, husband of leading lady Geena Davis; this was their second project together, following Cutthroat Island, released the previous year. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

68% liked it

59,705 ratings

Critics

67% liked it

52 critics

R, 2 hr.

Directed by: Renny Harlin

Release Date: October 11, 1996

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DVD Release Date: February 6, 2001

Stats: 2,569 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,569)

  • 76Majikat
    January 20, 2012
    76Majikat
    It's not exactly a mind blowing film nor is it particularly taxing on the brain, but it's an enjoyable watch and an enjoyable one for Geena Davis
  • ironclad1609
    December 5, 2011
    ironclad1609
    The premise of the person without a memory, who slowly discovers unexpected abilities may not be entirely new. Director Renny Harlin spins an exciting and tongue-in-cheek action thriller around it, though. While some of the action is a bit over the top and highly unrealistic, the... read more film is too fast and too much fun to really complain about it. Especially Samuel L. Jackson brings the necessary humor into play, so it's not easy to stay mad at the film's flaws for very long. The showdown is particularly spectacular and completes an all around fun and entertaining action film.
  • deano
    May 30, 2011
    deano
    This action film is almost familiar to 1988's Die Hard because of the Christmas Eve. Geena Davis's performance and her action sequences are cool as a schoolteacher turned tough lethal government assassin after she returned from suffering her amnesia. She looks great in her... read more underwear and the pacing is real! And with Samuel L. Jackson come off as nostalgically genuine and charming.
    There are some real laugh out loud moments in this movie, though, and there's a sense of joy in the script and the performances, as if they were having a good time. Director Renny Harlin knows how to construct action scenes, check out the train station scene and a tanker on the run heart pumper. But it's with Shane Black's screenplay that the film primarily entertains.
  • Tomassgringo
    February 7, 2011
    Tomassgringo
    This reminded me how much I like Geena Davis! Even in an action movie with Samuel Jackson, she is the one that shines. Very good action movie with surprise performances as result of some good writing.
  • ythelastman89
    February 2, 2011
    ythelastman89
    The female counterpart to Jason Bourne. This is certainly a lot of fun and you get a ton of great action and one liners. My only complaint was the random need for a child to represent the good side of Geena Davis. Other than that it's pretty cool and Shane Black's writing works a... read moremazingly well with Renny Harlin's kooky atmosphere. You've gotta love Samuel L. Jackson in his prime, especially when it's paired with the Geena Davis' femme fatale.
  • allan913
    July 30, 2010
    allan913
    It's one incredibly fun and mind-blowing action-packed extravaganza from beginning to end. It delivers big time with spectacular action sequences, outrageous humor and heart-pounding suspense. A smart, stylish, wickedly funny and exhilarating movie. I so totally loved this film, ... read morewith all its cool, humor, outrageous absurdity and great cast. It's just a fantastic joy-ride that is excellent entertainment. The perfect combination of an espionage thriller, action-adventure and buddy-comedy. Samuel L. Jackson and Geena Davis are terrific, they are defiantly the team that cant be beat.
  • TomBowler
    January 6, 2010
    TomBowler
    Not particularly smart or astounding but a good action flick. Full review later
  • SirPant
    September 25, 2009
    SirPant
    Another great Shane Black film!
  • kiriyamakazou
    April 11, 2009
    kiriyamakazou
    God bless Shane Black. Probably the greatest writer in the world. Well, maybe not, but he certainly adds incredible dialogue to tried and tested formula's. From the moment Sam Jackson goes off on a tangent about "ass-fucking" you know you're in for a hilarious time. No wonder Bla... read moreck became the first screenwriter to receive $3,000,000 for a script. Jackson and Davis are the perfect pair, a bit of an odd couple, but they get along great. They play off each other wonderfully, and it's nice to see such a friendly relationship without much hint at romantic desires. Davis gives two excellent performances, one as the confused and wholesome housewife and the other as a super hot and emotionless assassin. Bierko is an excellent villain and an actor that really should have had a bigger career. It's easy to see his charming appeal and he's just pissing nuts, but never outside the realms of disbelief. Morse and Cox round off some supporting roles with all their effort and become just as memorable as the leads. With Black as a writer and Harlin handling the action scenes it's no surprise that this is a fresh and exciting film with real personality.
  • DrZeek
    March 28, 2009
    DrZeek
    Charlie: Chefs do that.

    An over-the-top action comedy involving a amnesia suffering movie regaining her memories only to learn that she was a CIA assassin. And Sam Jackson costars.

    Samantha Caine: It makes a bulge, people can see.
    Mitch Henessey: Ya want me to stick it in my p... read moreants and shoot my damn dick off?
    Samantha Caine: Now you're a sharpshooter?

    Geena Davis starts off as Samantha, a housewife with a daughter who has been living this new life for eight years. She hires a low rent P.I. played by Sam Jackson to help her find info about her from the past. Problems arise when some unsavory figures learn of Samantha's presence and attempt to kill her. Now, with the possibility of finding out more, Samantha and Sam Jackson's Mitch character set out to find out the truth.

    Eventually Samantha becomes her former self, Charlie, a ruthless killer, who mainly speaks in tough guy one liners. More plot takes off from there, leading to numerous elaborate action sequences.

    Charlie: Were you always this stupid, or did you take lessons?
    Mitch Henessey: I took lessons.

    The film was directed by one of the B-movie action kings, Renny Harlin of Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger, and Deep Blue Sea fame, so it should certainly be no surprise that the movie is plenty violent and creative with how blood is shed. It also features one of the slowest grenade explosions of all time.

    Mitch Henessey: ...everyone knows, when you make an assumption, you make an ass out of "u" and "umption".

    The film was scripted by Shane Black of Lethal Weapon and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang fame, however the movie has the most in common with his other script - The Last Boyscout, which features hands down the best consistent use of hilarious one liners. The difference here is that the one liners are pretty good, but they are spaced out between terrible "real" dialog moments.

    Mitch Henessey: We jumped out of a building.
    Nathan: Yes, it was very exciting. Tomorrow we go to the zoo.

    What certainly does help is Sam Jackson of course, Davis' willingness to let herself get beat up a lot, a short role from Brian Cox, and Craig Bierko as the villain.

    This movie is certainly a product of the 90s, making for a perfectly enjoyable ridiculous action flick.

    Charlie: Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
    Mitch Henessey: I hope not, 'cause I'm thinking how much my balls hurt.

View All The Long Kiss Goodnight Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum
October 25, 2011
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Frankly, if I had to see either Harlin-Davis movie again, I'd opt for the klutzy unpleasantness of Cutthroat Island over the efficient if equally stupid unpleasantness of this 1996 release. Full Review

David Ansen
February 16, 2011
David Ansen, Newsweek

The Long Kiss Goodnight is the fall's best summer movie. Full Review

Richard Corliss
February 16, 2011
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

Like the heroine, the movie has two personalities that smartly coexist. Full Review

Desson Thomson
February 16, 2011
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

There's an excessive amount of excess -- a mind-numbing plurality of firearm battles, vehicular explosions and brutally frank sexual talk. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
March 27, 2009
Todd McCarthy, Variety

"The Long Kiss Goodnight" has a jokey good time with its outlandish pyrotechnics and offbeat character interplay. Full Review

Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Mr. Black's screenplay is mean-spirited, but it earns its keep with sharp, sarcastic dialogue and ingenious ways of setting up this story. Full Review

Peter Stack
June 18, 2002
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle

With square-jawed grimaces and big guns, Geena Davis could be a convincing two-fisted bullet-spraying action hero -- if only she had a convincing movie in which to be one. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Here's the supersexy and action-charged Hollywood take on France's La Femme Nikita that Bridget Fonda couldn't pull off in her Girl Scoutish Point of No Return.

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

[A] quip-filled but mean-spirited slugfest. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

When the smoke finally clears for the final credits, we may have had a tolerably good time, but there's no lingering satisfaction. Full Review

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    • Mitch Henessey: I never did anything right my whole life and that takes SKILLS.
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The Long Kiss Goodnight Trivia

  • What actor had roles in all of the following movies?... Jungle Fever The Long Kiss Goodnight The 51st State True Romance Goodfellas Jackie Brown Pulp Fiction xXx   Answer »
  • Which of these movies did NOT star Colin Farell?  Answer »
  • Geena Davis' character in "The Long Kiss Goodnight" had 2 identities, what were their names?  Answer »
  • Name the actress in the following movies: Stuart Little, Thelma and Louise, The Long Kiss Goodnight, and Speechless.  Answer »
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