The Long Kiss Goodnight

R

1996

2 hr. 0 min.

Action

List

68%

59 Reviews

Tomatometer

70%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Schoolteacher and single mother Samantha Caine (Geena Davis) lives an average suburban life -- until she begins having strange memories of unexplained violence and discovers that she has physical skills that she never imagined. Hiring private detective Mitch Hennessey (Samuel L. Jackson) to probe into her past, Samantha discovers that she's a well-trained government assassin who went missing after suffering a bout of amnesia and that her former handlers want her back in their employ.

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Critics Consensus

Smart, sharp-witted, and fueled by enjoyably over-the-top action, The Long Kiss Goodnight makes up in impact what it lacks in consistent aim.

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Joel H

Much like the lead character in The Long Kiss Goodnight, this movie constantly forgets what it is. I almost got whiplash from the tonal shifts, not to mention the choppy editing and leaps in logic. The action scenes and dramatic moments are laughable, whereas the comedy is not. I was shocked by how ridiculous some of the moments are. I think both Geena Davis & Samuel L. Jackson are good actors, but you wouldn't know it from watching this. Although compared to the rest of the cast, they do all right. I was curious as to what this story was about, but now I happily bid goodbye to The Long Kiss Goodnight.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/27/24

Full Review

Mark B

In this movie there is a much better movie. It just goes on and on . Cut out 30 minutes and it is improved greatly. Gina Davis can be charming but and in the fight scenes she is not convincing. Some if the dialogue is pretty poor.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

Full Review

Griffin B

Hard to imagine a more stupid movie. Wow. So bad.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/24

Full Review

Jeff M

Largely dismissed by critics and audiences upon its initial release, this movie seems to have developed a cult following over the last decade or so - and I couldn't be happier. This is one of the most purely enjoyable action movies I've ever seen, and I think it's practically perfect. It doesn't take itself too seriously, it doesn't pretend to be more than what it is and it has a sense of humor about itself unlike anything else I can remember seeing. It's the ideal popcorn movie, and I will never understand why it hasn't garnered the true respect it deserves. Davis is a ridiculously underrated actress, and you can tell she's having the time of her life here. She and Jackson make the ultimate odd couple dream team and their interactions are just wonderful. It also contains a remarkably strong supporting cast, including Craig Bierko as a truly ominous villain. The action scenes are so beyond the realm of credibility that they become almost surreal - and gloriously so. This is one of those movies where I gladly leave logic outside the door and just revel in the fun and magic of the movie making. It's a film I keep handy when I'm having a bad day or just need a couple hours of mindless adventure. And that deserves a lot more respect than which I feel it's given. Move over, Dirty Harry, I think you've met your match.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

KB B

It was pretty entertaining with a few highly unlikely incidents and a few downright dumb incidents. I'd never want to watch it again.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/24

Full Review

Tamecia P

Such a great movie! Absolutely loved it!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/24

Full Review

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Renny Harlin

Director

Geena Davis

Samantha Caine; Charly Baltimore

Samuel L. Jackson

Mitch Henessey

Patrick Malahide

Leland Perkins

Craig Bierko

Timothy

Brian Cox

Dr. Nathan Waldman

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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.

Oct 25, 2011

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

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

Feb 16, 2011

Full Review

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

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

Feb 16, 2011

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a decent-enough actioner trapped within the confines of a wildly overlong misfire.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 13, 2022

Full Review

Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

This movie is so bad that it needs to be seen to be fathomed.

Rated: 1.5/4

Mar 10, 2022

Full Review

Zofia Wijaszka

In Their Own League

You wont be disappointed with cursing, extraordinarily skilled and smart Charly and warm, polite Samantha who, oftentimes, throws a knife around because "chefs do that".

Rated: B

Feb 13, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Schoolteacher and single mother Samantha Caine (Geena Davis) lives an average suburban life -- until she begins having strange memories of unexplained violence and discovers that she has physical skills that she never imagined. Hiring private detective Mitch Hennessey (Samuel L. Jackson) to probe into her past, Samantha discovers that she's a well-trained government assassin who went missing after suffering a bout of amnesia and that her former handlers want her back in their employ.

Director: Renny Harlin
Executive Producer: Steve Tisch, Richard Saperstein, Michael De Luca
Screenwriter: Shane Black
Production Co: Forge, New Line Cinema
Rating: R
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 21, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $33.4M
Sound Mix: Surround

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