Gene Hackman reportedly accepted the starring role in this sluggish political thriller primarily for financial reasons, declining opportunities to appear in acclaimed independent films like "Jaws," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and "Apocalypse Now." Hackman portrays Tucker, a Vietnam veteran incarcerated at San Quentin alongside his cellmate and friend Spiventa (Mickey Rooney, hoping for a Supporting Actor Oscar that ultimately eluded him). Tucker is contacted by the enigmatic Tagge (Richard Widmark), who proposes to secure Tucker’s release in exchange for following instructions, culminating in the killing of another person. Tucker's immediate worry centers on his wife Ellie (Candice Bergen, appearing later in the film wearing a strikingly unflattering wig). He becomes entangled with what is now recognized as “the deep state,” an organization that consistently anticipates his actions to manipulate him. Predictably, as with most unremarkable political thrillers, Tucker refuses to adhere to their guidelines. While I consider Hackman among my favorite actors, this movie falls short of expectations. The cast boasts recognizable names—look for Eli Wallach, Edward Albert, Jay Novello, and Majel Barrett in supporting roles—but Adam Kennedy's story lacks vitality. Drawing from his novel, the filmmakers attempt to elicit empathy regarding Tucker and Ellie’s initial crime that led to their imprisonment. However, the script fails to create any sense of suspense or anxiety; instead, viewers are subjected to prolonged sequences of Hackman aimlessly wandering and frequently glancing over his shoulder. The audience shares Tucker's lack of information, so when he receives his “assignment,” I found myself largely indifferent. A plot twist concerning the assassination completely undermines the film’s storyline, making the ninety-four minutes feel like a lost investment. Stanley Kramer has directed some celebrated films, but he missteps here; what should have been exciting action sequences are poorly handled. "The Domino Principle" attempts to find its place within a saturated genre that includes "The Parallax View," "The Eiger Sanction," "The Odessa File," and other movies with similar titles. Unfortunately, the filmmakers appear as disengaged from the events unfolding onscreen as I was. (* *) out of five stars. Rated R, it contains physical violence, gun violence, some gore, profanity, occasional sexual references, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use.

Source on TMDB