Steven Seagal stars as a cop on the trail of a serial murderer in this psychological action-thriller. Seagal is John Cole, a lieutenant specializing in serial murderers, who teams with a homicide detective (Keenen Ivory Wa... more »yans) to track an elusive killer.« less
Had a different angle on Seagal's normal acting toughguy that I liked. Just watched, the movie is a bit dated now but I still enjoyed it but not as much when I saw at the theater. Keenen Ivory Wayans does some good acting in this.
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Rick G. (hewhoispapa) from MARTINEZ, CA Reviewed on 8/27/2015...
The Glimmer Man? Lt. Jack Cole (Seagal) is described this way because in the jungles of wherever “he appeared as a glimmer and was gone before anyone realized they were dead…” or some such statement. It was mentioned once in an inconsequential way, and yet that’s the name of the film. Go figure. Anyway there is enough chemistry between Seagal and Keenan Ivory Wayans as Detective Jim Campbell that makes their relationship almost work. The humor is mostly in the guise of exchanges between them in that mock sarcastic style guys use.
A “serial killer” is targeting families and so he is named “The Family Man.” The murders are obviously religion-oriented since the crime scene shows people crucified and other religious symbols. But there is also a drug syndicate crime sub-plot with Industrialist Frank Deverell (Bob Gunton) at its head dishing out the money, and with a Mr. Smith (Brian Cox) enforcing their schemes. Needless to say, they wind up bunking heads (to put it mildly) with Cole who won’t play their game regardless of the money at stake. Mr. Smith worked for the CIA at one point and so he has history with Cole.
I don’t always remember whether Seagal is Police, CIA, Covert Operations, FBI, Free Lance, or whatever.
To cut it short, at a considerable cost in furnishings, props and edifices (Campbell is attacked at his flat resulting in a fire that destroys it), they succeed in thwarting Deverill. (Surprised? I didn’t think so).
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Chris P. from SOUTH BEND, IN Reviewed on 1/22/2014...
Great movie! Steven Seagal plays his usual badass character and does what Steven Seagal does best. Entertaining with some funny parts and great action scenes.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Pat M. J. from GRANTS PASS, OR Reviewed on 10/10/2011...
After you get over the opening remarks of reviewers who like to let you know they are higher brow than any Seagal fan even imagines and really know "fine acting"; and "Seagal can't act", blah blah, - most seem to agree with me that this was highly entertaining and makes one glad Stephen went overseas to become Reborn or whatever a great martial arts person accomplishes by going through Hell and pain for years. And I like it that he does not mind showing his spiritual muscles too in various pertinent scenes. He is a pleasure to watch & I so wish I could take down people like he does..it looks like fun. The plot works but I must say the villainous and obviously materially successful crooks are very chic with wonderful wardrobes and such dignified, graceful postures and beautiful diction. Of course, they get wrecked finally in various violent scenes with the heroes. And be gum, they deserve it too. Meanwhile, I have the impression everyone had a good time working on this action film; good direction.
Love Keenan Ivory Wayans' name. Is it permissible to say he was adorable in some scenes even though playing a macho detective? And Keenan's apartment before it got blown sky high was an interior decorator's "single guy's manly apt." dream, absolutely a knockout. Stephen played so well with him and seemed at ease, Even though Keenen certainly has machismo and sex appeal it's obvious that this doesn't fazeThe Seagal. Stephen looks younger and more vigorous than we see him in later films and it's a pleasure.
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Movie Reviews
One of my favorite Segal movies
MCB | NC United States | 05/30/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of Segal's better movies. I would rate it with Under Siege in quality. Good plot, great supporting cast. He does not inject the PC [stuff] that many of his later movies seem to have."
Immensely entertaining action hokum
TheIrrationalMan | 05/28/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It is admitted that Steven Seagal, as an actor, is not of the "method" school of Brando and De Niro. You don't watch his films to see him act. If you want to see acting, then watch the powerhouses Humphrey Bogart or Jack Nicholson, but not Seagal, the seventh dan black belt aikidoist. His films are primarily made to thrill and entertain. With his erect posture, powerful build and frowning expression, he exerts an intimidating screen presence. Like a tornado sweeping across the torrid zone, he leaves the bad guys annihilated and in brief, hard-trimmed action scenes, he despatches villain after villain with either a bullet to the head, a chop to the throat, a thrust with a knife or a kick to the face. In this film at least, he also manages to be mildly humorous and even self-deprecating in his portrayal of a bead-wearing Buddhist cop. This is the first film in which he actually draws blood during a conflict with a bad guy. The action scenes are supreme. The dialogue is post-Tarantino tart and the film, as a whole, is wonderfully self-mocking."
Steven Seagal: the name says it all!
Tammy Starks | Tompkinsville,KY USA | 02/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This movie is one of my personal favorites. It keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. You had comedy, drama, suspense and action all rolled into one fantastic movie. Before this movie, I hadn't been a big fan of Keenan Ivory Wayans but he was actually very good in this film. Steven Seagal's performance was excellent and his martial art moves was over the top! I own this video and I never get tired of seeing it. It's all that and a bag of chips!!"
Simply Awesome
ashley | USA | 01/21/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I like to credit this as one of Stevens best movies. Because of its action scenes well written story plot with slight comedy and great actors. This is one of my favorite Steven Seagal movies. I enjoyed this movie very much. If you haven't seen this awesome film yet go see it I recommend it highly."
Homie the Clown don't mess around and of course neither does
Sid the Elf | North Pole | 08/21/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This week's feature has been on Sid's to do list for a very very long time and thanks to On demand at the North Pole North we were able to witness the greatest onscreen chemistry since Brett Q and the adolecesant boys he "coached" at a High School in Hicksville, Mississippi. You thought Sid was going with Swayze and McQueen there didn't you? No. They will never be approached. How dare you even think that? So it was with great anticipation that we viewed The Glimmer Man and it did not disapoint.
Seagal plays a former government operative with a checkered past turned New York Buddhist cop. Oh yeah oh yeah. He is teamed up with Keenan Ivory Wayans( he was available?) to take down a sadistic serial killer. This flick was actually made in 1996 but it had a 1991ish look. That's a couple of stars right there. The only thing that was missing out of the Seagal formula in this one was he wasn't his normal studly self. There was no Seagal love interest that would have undoubedly laughed him out of her trailer on set. Oh wait that happened with Nikki Cox anyway.
Sid really can't quantify how good this flick was. There were parts that were ridiculously enjoyable. But the flick got overwhelmed by copious ammounts of football talk and predictions. Dolphins stay really good, the Pack get a lot better, and Brett Favre gets what's coming to him if you're wondering. Ok let's wrap it up with a quick drive-in totals:
1 inexcusable Death Ring ripoff
2 impalings
2 ridiculous window crashings
62 impossible moves by Seagal.
That's what it's like when you're living in the ghetto."