The End of Violence

This is what you might charitably call a "film of ideas"; among the less inspired ones in Wim Wenders' latest angst-ridden cinematic essay are (1) the complete subordination of narrative and character to sketchy philosophical noodling; (2) the construction of a ridiculously complicated three-tiered plot about which, ultimately, nobody seems to care; and (3) the casting of Andie MacDowell, who has given exactly one (1) decent performance, and that (Ann in sex, lies and videotape) almost ten years ago. Only an ambitious film by a great director can achieve the staggeringly colossal badness that The End of Violence exudes from frame one. Not recommended. (M. D'Angelo)[DVD/Blu-ray Review—Apr. 7, 2015—Olive, 122 min., R, DVD: $19.95, Blu-ray: $29.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1997's The End of Violence features a fine transfer but no extras aside from a theatrical trailer. Bottom line: this lesser Wenders film looks sharp on Blu-ray.]