Johnny Skidmarks

REVIEW
A plot-driven noir thriller dressed in a character piece's clothing. Johnny Skidmarks is the nickname for police photographer Gallagher, a cold-hearted jerk (the result of his wife having died) who also moonlights as the shutterbug in a blackmail ring. His cronies include his ex-brother-in-law (the always amusing Black), a kindly police officer (Lithgow) and a new tentative love interest (McDormand), none of whom are all that fascinating. When the plot finally kicks in, it's only diverting for a short time before becoming routine. Thoroughly sleazy and unpleasant to boot, Johnny Skidmarks is at best a sporadically interesting misfire.