True Lies

In this week’s episode of Unclear and Present Danger, Jamelle and John watch “True Lies,” James Cameron’s tonally-incoherent (but hugely successful) spy thriller starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis. They discuss the film as a straightforward take on the American crisis of masculinity in the 1990s, as a depiction of American beliefs and ideologies around sex and power, and as the beginning of a significant turn in the cultural depiction of America’s enemies. They also talk about American interventions into Haiti, welfare reform and James Cameron’s marriages.

You can watch “True Lies” on Apple TV Plus or Paramount Plus.

Episodes are released every two weeks, so join Jamelle and John later this month for an episode on the 1995 adaptation of “Judge Dredd,” starring Sylvester Stallone.

Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck.

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Jamelle Bouie

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