Not nearly as good as its reputation but not horrible either.

Strangely structured, almost refracted--the beginning especially is disorienting and jarring, setting us up for a wild ride that only occasionally makes use of its opacity. Still pretty fun throughout.

I really enjoyed it. Tense from the outset. Wains slightly in the 3rd quarter, but an impactful conclusion. The trippiness leaves you guessing as to what's real and what's not.

John Boorman’s Point Blank is often labeled a crime thriller, but I think the best way to enjoy it is as a psychological mystery. Go in expecting a straightforward revenge story and you’ll probably be disappointed. Instead, embrace the film’s ambiguity and dreamlike quality, and it becomes a much richer experience. It’s always a pleasure to see Lee Marvin on screen. He has an incredible presence without saying very much. Walker isn’t portrayed as an invincible superhero. He’s simply relentless, a man driven by purpose who absorbs punishment and just keeps moving forward. That persistence makes him far more believable and compelling than the typical action hero. The cinematography is outstanding. Nearly every shot feels carefully composed, with beautiful framing, bold use of architecture, and clever sound design that often says more than the dialogue. There are moments that feel surprisingly modern, while others are unapologetically artistic. The jazz club sequences, in particular, create an unforgettable atmosphere that perfectly captures the cool, detached mood of the film. The dialogue and performances also reflect their era. Conversations often feel theatrical rather than naturalistic, which may seem strange to viewers accustomed to modern films. Once I accepted that style, it actually became part of the movie’s unique charm. The traditional gender roles and masculine archetypes also firmly place the film in its time, making it an interesting snapshot of late 1960s cinema. Perhaps the film’s greatest strength is that it refuses to explain everything. Depending on how you interpret the clues, Point Blank can be viewed as a straightforward revenge tale, a psychological study, or even something far more existential. That lingering uncertainty is exactly what makes it memorable and worthy of discussion decades later.

Weird structure to the film doesn't make it artistic. It was not a terrible movie, but that doesn't make it great. When what you are is being based on what you aren't, are you even there? Not the "classic" I was told to expect in my mind.