Some people would kill to have three days in Havana. Jack Petty sits in an airport bar, nursing a drink. Heâs on a stopover halfway to Havana, and so is the sexy lady who chats him up, giving him travel tips and whispering something scary in his ear. Heâll meet her again, in the midst of a conspiracy that includes assassination, kidnapping and more. This a film with a lot of tradition behind it: some major Hitchcock (particularly Strangers on a Train and The 39 Steps); the wised-up dialogue of old film noir; and the gritty detail and sharp plot twists of contemporary thrillers. Itâs all put across with high spirits, and the cast is stellarâhighlights include Christopher Heyerdahl as a slick member of the Canadian Consulate, John Cassini as a ruthless mob boss, and Phyllida Law as... well, youâll see. And there are many other colourful characters, none of them trustworthy, most of them with their sights set on poor Jack. Heâll have to outwit, outrun or outfight them allâa tall order for a mere businessman on a conference trip. But heâs surprisingly cool under pressure. The fun here comes not just from the close shaves and slick repartee but from the knowledge, quickly acquired, that nothing is what it seems.
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