As previously stated, I do love me a Kurt Russell film, I just think he’s a wonderfully cool actor, and I also like that there are so many of his films I have yet to run down. So when I came across The Mean Season which sees him playing a newspaperman involved in a cat-and-mouse hunt for a serial killer, I was in.

And look at some of the other folks involved in this one; Lalo Schifrin delivers the score and the cast includes Richard Jordan, Mariel Hemingway, Richard Masur, Andy Garcia and Joe Pantoliano. Sign me up!

Adapted from the novel, the film sees Miami reporter Malcolm Anderson (Russell) planning to quit his job and move to Colorado with his girlfriend, Christine (Hemingway), who works as a teacher. But just as he’s about to quit, his editor, Nolan (Masur) gives him an assignment, a murder.

And it’s just the beginning.

The killer, Alan Delour (Jordan) has chosen Anderson as his conduit to the public and his desired celebrity. Anderson and Christine are not getting out of Miami anytime soon.

The newspaper walks a fine line between maintaining communication with Alan, and trying to serve their best interests and help the police bring Alan to justice. Anderson’s pal on the force, Martinez (Garcia) does his best to do his job as well and keep Anderson from clashing with his higher-ups.

As Anderson gets pulled deeper, it strains his relationship with Christine to the breaking point. But he can’t walk away now.

Jordan is absolutely menacing in this role, brilliantly so. He’s creepy, and his delivery gives Alan a measured control which makes you wonder what will happen when that control breaks.

It’s well-shot, Schifrin’s score is solid and has a bit of a noir overtone with a bluesy saxophone that plays nicely against the Florida backdrop, espeecially as the rainy season comes in.

The film is packed with recognizable names, and they’re all so young here. And it seems that Garcia was always playing cops, and that’s not a bad thing, he does it well. And Joey Pants, is the paper photographer, and I like watching what he’s doing in his scenes, the little beats he takes for his character.

But Russell is, of course, front and center and he turns in a solid performance as a reporter pushed to the edge, trapped between his job and his life, what he wants, and what he has to do.

The climax is great, in fact everything from Anderson’s first unknowing physical encouter with Alan onwards is just gangbusters. I really enjoyed this one, and I’m glad I came across it.

It’s well-made, but the performances elevate it, and Russell shows that he can easily lead a cast. I think the Russell-viewing will continue.