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U-Turn

Play trailer Poster for U-Turn R Released Oct 3, 1997 2h 5m Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
59% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
A two-bit criminal (Sean Penn) meets an attractive woman (Jennifer Lopez) and her spouse (Nick Nolte), each of whom wants him to murder the other.
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U-Turn

U-Turn

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Critics Consensus

U-Turn is a lurid, stylish lark that boasts striking moments but lacks the focus and weight of Oliver Stone best work.

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Critics Reviews

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Martin Hoyle Financial Times This is a knowing, sophisticate's view of film noir: mannered, heartless, kitsch. Jan 20, 2023 Full Review Geoff Brown The Times (UK) In essence this is potboiler stuff. But it is a positive relief to find the director of Natural Born Killers in holiday mood. Jan 20, 2023 Full Review Richard Williams Guardian Those who have learnt to distrust this director will hardly be surprised to learn that here is a film giving murder a bad name. Jan 20, 2023 Full Review Michael Dwyer Irish Times The more outsized the performances the more fun the film, and while Penn is refreshingly less mannered than usual, it's the scenery-chewers who carry the picture. Jan 24, 2023 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Filmmaker Oliver Stone has infused U Turn with exactly the sort of over-the-top, less-than-subtle vibe one might've anticipated... Rated: 3/4 Apr 11, 2020 Full Review Matt Brunson Creative Loafing With the exception of 1988's lacerating Talk Radio, U Turn might be the most forgotten film in Oliver Stone's canon -- a shame, since it offers sinful pleasures for those willing to take the ride. Rated: 3/4 Apr 8, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Well, most will know the movie in 2025. It's a personal fav of mine. Penn's best work, J Lo when she was just an actress, Booth, always good, and Nolte was excellent. Joaquin and Danes as drama fiends were hilarious. I like most of Stones work, including his writing. This is a fun and zany and dark thriller. Typical Stone tropes like shots of snakes and scorpions abound but maybe too much, like I felt in Natural born Killers. Some of the frenetic editing can be off-putting at times, not unlike tony Scott did to a much worse degree. It's a must for your collection. Also, Voigt's Indian accent was super on point and not easy to duplicate for a white person and J Lo's was also excellent. I wish and think J Lo should just be doing drama's as most forgot how fantastic she is acting. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/07/25 Full Review Piya S Great characters, performances, and stylishly shot Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/25/25 Full Review Jeremy A This movie was awesome. There were many twists. It was goofy. It was fun. It was good. 4.5* Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/15/24 Full Review Horror fan 4 What a terrific movie filled with great performances and cameo's. The ending was hilarious and filled with twists. Tim Treakle Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/03/24 Full Review David H Once again the critics are wrong this is an entertaining movie Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/28/24 Full Review mark g Dark as hell with one of the deepest casts ever. Stylishly shot. I give it major props. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/07/24 Full Review Read all reviews
U-Turn

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Cast & Crew

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Oliver Stone

Director

Sean Penn

Bobby Cooper

Nick Nolte

Jake McKenna

Jennifer Lopez

Grace McKenna

Powers Boothe

Sheriff Potter

Claire Danes

Jenny

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U-Turn

U-Turn (1997) U-Turn (1997) U-Turn (1997) U-Turn (1997) U-Turn (1997) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A two-bit criminal (Sean Penn) meets an attractive woman (Jennifer Lopez) and her spouse (Nick Nolte), each of whom wants him to murder the other.
Director
Oliver Stone
Producer
Dan Halsted, Clayton Townsend
Screenwriter
John Ridley
Production Co
Canal+ Droits Audiovisuels, Phoenix Pictures, Illusion Entertainment Group, Clyde Is Hungry Films
Rating
R
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 3, 1997, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 25, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$6.6M
Runtime
2h 5m
Sound Mix
Surround, Mono
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