Guest Author - Vannie
In Paycheck Michael Jennings (Ben Affleck) and Rachel Porter (Uma Thurman) are coworkers and lovers. After signing a contract Michael later realizes that he has been set up and that his life is in danger. Only Rachel can help him put his life back in order, that is, if he can stay alive long enough in this action packed suspenseful, sci-fi movie.
Jennings already a highly paid computer engineer, is sought out by a high tech firm to work with them on a top secret project. However, Jennings must sign a contract committing him to have his short term memory erased. The erasure insures that their company information remains a secret and only theirs. Why would someone agree to have their short-term memorory erased? The company that hires Jennings gives him 4.4 billion reasons. That's how much money he will be paid upon completion of the project.
When Jennings gets his pay envelope he learns that he did not read the fine print; he has signed his paycheck away. He has agreed to forfeit 4.4 billion dollars. Since he has no short-term memory, he doesn't remember doing so. Enclosed in his pay envelope are items that seem to serve no purpose or reason. He soon learns that his former boss wants him dead and that Federal agents are looking for him. He does not know why. The one positive is that the objects in the envelope turn out to be keys to helping him regain his erased memory. Therefore, may help to keep him alive. All he has to do is to remember what it is he knows that's so important to his former employer and the Feds. Actor Aaron Eckhart is billionaire Jimmy Rethrick who hires Jennings, then does everything in his power to keep Jennings from getting his earned paycheck.
With the help of Rachel (Thurman), Michael Jennings starts to piece together their relationship and his past.
Some movie goers may think Paycheckis a little over the top. But I think no more so than other movies of this ilk. I liked it. It has mystery, high tech sci-fi gadgets, great chases and fun. Paycheck was directed by John Woo. Not his best, but certainly not his worst.
One scene is straight out of North By Northwest, movie buffs will spot it.
Rated PG-13
