Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Little Walter, Chuck Berry. Their names and music may be familiar to some, but it's the stars who followed in the footsteps of these pioneers who were the recipients of the lion's share of fortune and fame. Everyone from Elvis to The Rolling Stones owes a debt to the ground breaking discoveries of Leonard Chess. For this reason alone it's especially gratifying to see the long overdue homage to these original greats provided by this film. Although the movie is a standard biopic in some ways, it uncovers new territory simply by focusing on the neglected stories of some of music's most talented performers.
The amazing Jeffrey Wright stars as Muddy Waters, a poor sharecropper who plays a mean guitar and sings a mean blues song. When he comes to the attention of Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody), a producer for Chess Records on the southside of Chicago, his music begins to be heard by a larger audience. Chess has a knack for uncovering new talent and brings the music of not only Muddy Waters but also James (Beyonce Knowles), Berry (Mos Def), Howlin' Wolf (Eamonn Walker) and Little Walter (Columbus Short) to the public as well as the outstanding songwriting of the great Willie Dixon (Cedric the Entertainer). Along the way there are the usual problems: money (either too much or too little of it), drugs, legal and romantic entanglements, artistic temperament. The constant inspiration for both Chess and the audience is the glorious music that came out of this time and place. The performances are excellent across the board with all actors doing their own singing in a very impressive way. Although it's no surprise that Beyonce can belt out a tune with the best, she shows outstanding skill and courage in taking on such James classics as "At Last" and "All I Could Do Was Cry" and making them work. Mos Def has a lot of fun with Berry and Wright proves to be a good blues singer. Writer/Director Darnell Martin brings vibrancy, authenticity and smokin' entertainment to the screen while giving some of our truly American musical greats their due.
Things to love about this movie: Seeing Jeffrey Wright take center stage in a sexy, full bodied performance; the great music; some pretty cool cadillac cars; Mos Def proving once again that he's an exciting actor in addition to a terrific musician
Things to hate about this movie: Would have liked to see more about the personal life and background of Etta James included in the movie aside from her heroin addiction (and Beyonce seems to have the acting chops to do it)
Pleasant surprises: The movie actually focuses on the musicians instead of the white man who discovered them
Unpleasant surprises: Lovely Gabrielle Union is given a rather thankless role as the hopelessly devoted love of Muddy Waters; some unflattering camera angles on Adrien Brody during romantic scenes
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Movie Review - Milk
Director extraordinaire Gus Van Sant brings light to one of the darkest chapters in San Francisco history in this perfect pairing of film and filmmaker. Since I was living in San Francisco at the time this story takes place and personally remember the events depicted in the movie, my response to "Milk" is a particularly emotional one.
A great character in a city full of characters, Harvey Milk once again comes alive in an astounding performance by the ultimate chameleon actor Sean Penn, giving us a full blooded portrait of the guy who made history by becoming the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the United States. Milk arrives in the city by the bay as a transplanted New Yorker, opens a small camera shop in the Castro District of the city and proceeds to make neighborhood connections as well as create a safe haven for the many gay citizens who are closeted or discriminated against. Eventually Milk becomes known as The Mayor of Castro Street and begins a long series of attempts to win public office, finally succeeding to become a City Supervisor. Lovers (Scott Smith played by James Franco, Jack Lira played by Diego Luna), supporters (Emile Hirsch as Cleve Jones, Alison Pill as campaign manager Anne Kronenberg) and fellow politicians (Victor Garber portrays Mayor George Moscone and Josh Brolin is City Supervisor Dan White) all figure into the mix. The reconfiguration of the city's districts and a vile proposition by John Briggs to prevent gays from teaching in public schools align to bring Milk into the forefront. A lethal dynamic develops between the outrageous Milk and the ex-cop turned fellow supervisor White as they try to negotiate their clashing approaches to governing the city. We know where this will end, of course, but the way the film delineates the growing antagonism between the two makes the outcome extremely disturbing just the same.
Filmed on location in San Francisco, the period is well captured by Van Sant and his superb cast. Documentary footage of Supervisor Dianne Feinstein announcing the murders of Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Milk are chilling, along with actual scenes from the candlelight vigil that took place following the assassinations. It was also interesting to see clips of the infamous Anita Bryant making heinous, homophobic remarks which have branded her name as synonymous with rampant prejudice forever. Thankfully Milk isn't shown in a noble light but becomes all the more compelling with his ambitions and complicated personal relationships present along with his courage. Here is an American hero who truly gave his all to further the cause of equality for every citizen. I'm sure somewhere Harvey must be smiling.
Things to love about this movie: Classic Van Sant touches, such as the ever expanding photos of contacts that fill the screen as Cleve Jones works a phone bank; James Franco's performance (sexy and refreshingly free of "gay" mannerisms); photos at the end of the film showing the real people on whom the movie characterizations are based; the always phenomenal Sean Penn disappearing once again, this time into the flamboyant character of Milk
Things to hate about this movie: The fact that 30 years later the same battles fought by Harvey Milk are still being waged today
Pleasant surprises: Josh Brolin brings surprising nuance to Dan White (the "villain" of the story); gay men are allowed to kiss on screen (what a concept)
Unpleasant surprises: Would have liked to see a little more of San Francisco as a character in the film; Jack Lira is shown in an unflattering, one dimensional way despite Luna's good performance
A great character in a city full of characters, Harvey Milk once again comes alive in an astounding performance by the ultimate chameleon actor Sean Penn, giving us a full blooded portrait of the guy who made history by becoming the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the United States. Milk arrives in the city by the bay as a transplanted New Yorker, opens a small camera shop in the Castro District of the city and proceeds to make neighborhood connections as well as create a safe haven for the many gay citizens who are closeted or discriminated against. Eventually Milk becomes known as The Mayor of Castro Street and begins a long series of attempts to win public office, finally succeeding to become a City Supervisor. Lovers (Scott Smith played by James Franco, Jack Lira played by Diego Luna), supporters (Emile Hirsch as Cleve Jones, Alison Pill as campaign manager Anne Kronenberg) and fellow politicians (Victor Garber portrays Mayor George Moscone and Josh Brolin is City Supervisor Dan White) all figure into the mix. The reconfiguration of the city's districts and a vile proposition by John Briggs to prevent gays from teaching in public schools align to bring Milk into the forefront. A lethal dynamic develops between the outrageous Milk and the ex-cop turned fellow supervisor White as they try to negotiate their clashing approaches to governing the city. We know where this will end, of course, but the way the film delineates the growing antagonism between the two makes the outcome extremely disturbing just the same.
Filmed on location in San Francisco, the period is well captured by Van Sant and his superb cast. Documentary footage of Supervisor Dianne Feinstein announcing the murders of Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Milk are chilling, along with actual scenes from the candlelight vigil that took place following the assassinations. It was also interesting to see clips of the infamous Anita Bryant making heinous, homophobic remarks which have branded her name as synonymous with rampant prejudice forever. Thankfully Milk isn't shown in a noble light but becomes all the more compelling with his ambitions and complicated personal relationships present along with his courage. Here is an American hero who truly gave his all to further the cause of equality for every citizen. I'm sure somewhere Harvey must be smiling.
Things to love about this movie: Classic Van Sant touches, such as the ever expanding photos of contacts that fill the screen as Cleve Jones works a phone bank; James Franco's performance (sexy and refreshingly free of "gay" mannerisms); photos at the end of the film showing the real people on whom the movie characterizations are based; the always phenomenal Sean Penn disappearing once again, this time into the flamboyant character of Milk
Things to hate about this movie: The fact that 30 years later the same battles fought by Harvey Milk are still being waged today
Pleasant surprises: Josh Brolin brings surprising nuance to Dan White (the "villain" of the story); gay men are allowed to kiss on screen (what a concept)
Unpleasant surprises: Would have liked to see a little more of San Francisco as a character in the film; Jack Lira is shown in an unflattering, one dimensional way despite Luna's good performance
Monday, December 8, 2008
Movie Review - I've Loved You So Long
Despite its rather lame title, this French film is anything but ordinary and a welcome relief from the unusually tired slate of movies we've been subjected to so far this year. In true European style, the story and characters unfold slowly, almost as though we're being given an insider's look into the every day lives of a family. Kristin Scott Thomas stars as Juliette Fontaine, recently released from a 15 year prison term and invited to live in her younger sister's household. Since there is a large age gap between the two sisters, they are almost strangers despite some happy memories of their early life together. Younger sister Lea (Elsa Zylberstein), whose concern and love for Juliette are tempered by her husband Luc's (Serge Hazanavicius) misgivings about the new arrangement, discovers that the road to adjustment for Juliette and the new family unit will be a long and unexpectedly arduous one as everyone struggles with such issues as finding a job for Juliette and trusting her to babysit Lea's two young daughters. A revelation about Juliette's crime towards the end of the movie clarifies several things about her mysterious character, although we have already become so involved with her life that the additional piece of the puzzle isn't really crucial.
Scott Thomas is in fine form as the prickly Juliette along with Zylberstein who gives an outstanding performance as Lea. A couple of interesting men enter Juliette's life, including her parole office (Frederic Pierrot) and Michel, a kind, gentlemanly friend of Lea's whose non-aggressive approach allows Juliette to open up. She also shares a special bond with Luc's father (Jean-Claude Arnaud) who has lost the power of speech due to a stroke. The drama here is on a human scale and proves to be much more powerful than any super hero or arch villain could ever conjure.
Things to love about this movie: The understated, nice romance between Juliette and Michel; time is taken to reveal these characters thoughtfully--even supporting characters are given fascinating quirks; a touching piano duet between the sisters
Things to hate about this movie: It reminds me of just how formulaic and shallow many American movies have become
Pleasant surprises: Lea's older daughter, delightfully called P'tit Lyse and played by Lise Segur, is everything child actors should be but seldom are
Unpleasant surprises: The unexpected death of one of the most appealing characters (a real surprise)
Scott Thomas is in fine form as the prickly Juliette along with Zylberstein who gives an outstanding performance as Lea. A couple of interesting men enter Juliette's life, including her parole office (Frederic Pierrot) and Michel, a kind, gentlemanly friend of Lea's whose non-aggressive approach allows Juliette to open up. She also shares a special bond with Luc's father (Jean-Claude Arnaud) who has lost the power of speech due to a stroke. The drama here is on a human scale and proves to be much more powerful than any super hero or arch villain could ever conjure.
Things to love about this movie: The understated, nice romance between Juliette and Michel; time is taken to reveal these characters thoughtfully--even supporting characters are given fascinating quirks; a touching piano duet between the sisters
Things to hate about this movie: It reminds me of just how formulaic and shallow many American movies have become
Pleasant surprises: Lea's older daughter, delightfully called P'tit Lyse and played by Lise Segur, is everything child actors should be but seldom are
Unpleasant surprises: The unexpected death of one of the most appealing characters (a real surprise)
Monday, December 1, 2008
Movie Review - Australia
Big, overblown and rowdy as the country of its title, this movie is not, alas, nearly as much fun as that country. Baz Luhrmann has an over the top, almost operatic style of filmmaking that usually works like gangbusters for me, but this time it misfires in an odd attempt at homage to old timers like "The African Queen" and "Gone With the Wind". There's an unlikely romance between a priggish, uptight woman and a rough and rugged guy, not exactly a fresh concept. The couple in question are Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) and a herder known simply as The Drover (Hugh Jackman). Lady Ashley arrives in Australia in search of her wayward husband, who turns up dead with the ranch house and property Faraway Downs which he owned thus falling to his widow, the befuddled city slicker Lady Ashley. At first she wants to sell the place, but the discovery that her cattle are being stolen, along with a land takeover plot by local power hungry barons, brings her a resolve to hold onto the property. A secondary, and much more appealing storyline involves a young half-caste Aboriginal boy named Nullah (the beautiful Brandon Walters) and his grandfather King George (Aboriginal actor supreme David Gulpilil), a magic man who is teaching the young boy the ways of his ancestors despite Lady Sarah's growing attachment to the kid.
As in several recent movies I've seen, the secondary storyline is the most rewarding part of the film. It's admirable that Luhrmann has chosen to devote generous portions of this movie to the Aboriginal culture, and the mystical side of the native beliefs shines through very effectively. The practice of kidnapping half caste children to train them in the ways of the white man has previously been covered in more detail in another, much betterAustralian film, "Rabbit Proof Fence." Luhrmann adds some nice touches, such as a sweet rendition of "Over the Rainbow" (with its double meaning of the land of Oz) between Lady Ashley and Nullah, then proceeds to overuse it to the point of ruination. As a director, he doesn't know when to stop and elicits a poor performance from Kidman. He's also thrown in everything but the kitchen sink, with the bombing of Darwin during WWII, way too many barroom brawls, a lengthy cattle drive across rough terrain and aforesaid romance. Done right, it might have constituted an epic. As it turns out, it merely constitutes a movie full of loose ends, none of which really work with the exception of the Aboriginal strands.
Things to love in this movie: The storyline involving Nulla and King George; glorious costumes by Baz Luhrmann's wife Catherine Martin; those fabulous Australian landscapes; a breathtaking scene involving a cattle stampede; looking at Hugh Jackman (though his character is not that enthralling); seeing the inimitable David Gulpilil on screen
Things to hate in this movie: Cardboard characters and disappointing script; way too long (and feels like it); the causal killing of a kangaroo
Pleasant surprises: A nice ending
Unpleasant surprises: Very little chemistry between the two stars, particularly in the romantic scenes; not enough sense of the country of its title; the fact that there are no surprises
As in several recent movies I've seen, the secondary storyline is the most rewarding part of the film. It's admirable that Luhrmann has chosen to devote generous portions of this movie to the Aboriginal culture, and the mystical side of the native beliefs shines through very effectively. The practice of kidnapping half caste children to train them in the ways of the white man has previously been covered in more detail in another, much betterAustralian film, "Rabbit Proof Fence." Luhrmann adds some nice touches, such as a sweet rendition of "Over the Rainbow" (with its double meaning of the land of Oz) between Lady Ashley and Nullah, then proceeds to overuse it to the point of ruination. As a director, he doesn't know when to stop and elicits a poor performance from Kidman. He's also thrown in everything but the kitchen sink, with the bombing of Darwin during WWII, way too many barroom brawls, a lengthy cattle drive across rough terrain and aforesaid romance. Done right, it might have constituted an epic. As it turns out, it merely constitutes a movie full of loose ends, none of which really work with the exception of the Aboriginal strands.
Things to love in this movie: The storyline involving Nulla and King George; glorious costumes by Baz Luhrmann's wife Catherine Martin; those fabulous Australian landscapes; a breathtaking scene involving a cattle stampede; looking at Hugh Jackman (though his character is not that enthralling); seeing the inimitable David Gulpilil on screen
Things to hate in this movie: Cardboard characters and disappointing script; way too long (and feels like it); the causal killing of a kangaroo
Pleasant surprises: A nice ending
Unpleasant surprises: Very little chemistry between the two stars, particularly in the romantic scenes; not enough sense of the country of its title; the fact that there are no surprises
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Movie Review - Twilight
In a way, vampire lovers are akin to addicts of all kinds (alcoholics, druggies, coffee fiends). There may be certain types of our chosen addiction which we prefer or especially enjoy, which really get us where we want to be, but at the end of the day we'd take almost anything that even vaguely resembles what we love. So even if "Twilight" may be vampires lite, I'll take it. I've never really met a vampire I didn't like, and Edward Cullen (played by Robert Pattinson) happens to be a type of vampire I haven't seen before. Not having read the hugely popular book series on which this movie is based, I had no expectations or preconceived ideas of what the lead vampire in the story should be. Unlike vampires of the past, from classics like the great Bela Lugosi's Count Dracula to the hunky, rock & roll vampires in "The Lost Boys", Edward is a rather reserved, if intense, vampire who saves the human female of his dreams (Kristen Stewart as Bella Swann) instead of destroying her.
Moving to the rainy northwest from sunny Tucson, Bella is out of place living with her dad, the local police chief (Billy Burke) and attending a new school. One of the more intriguing aspects of her new life is a family of vampires, the Cullens, including "father" Dr. Carlisle (Peter Facinelli), "mother" Esme (Elizabeth Reaser), Alice (Ashley Greene), Jasper (Jackson Rathbone), Emmet (Kellan Lutz) and Rosalie (Nikki Reed). And then there's Edward. Of course there's an immediate attraction between the awkward Bella and the gorgeous, stand-offish Edward which becomes the main theme of the story. The romance between the human girl and the 17 year old vampire (who's actually been around for over a hundred years) is complicted by the fact that Edward mustn't ever give in to his overwhelming desire to chomp down on Bella. A subplot involves 3 "bad" vampires (Cam Gigandet, Edi Gathegi and Rachelle Lefevre) who begin ripping up the citizens of the small town, and one of them develops a fixation on Bella. A childhood friend of Bella's, a Quileute Indian boy named Jacob (played by darling Taylor Lautner), also shows up to warn Bella about the mysterious Cullens while cultivating his own sweet crush on her. There are some exciting scenes, including a game of vampire baseball during a thunderstorm and a clash of vampires when the Cullens must face off with the evil vampires in order to protect Bella. This isn't the best vampire movie I've ever seen by any means, but it's entertaining enough and, despite my reluctance to admit it, I'm actually thinking about going to see it again. Guess the teenage girl in me isn't quite dead after all.
Things to love about this movie: A very cool soundtrack that perfectly enhances scenes in the movie; terrific cast of cute newcomers who bring a fresh, interesting take to the vampire myth; a marvelous scene where Edward flies Bella up to the treetops for a stunning look at the northwest countryside
Things to hate about this movie: That overdone, white faced, red lipped, pouffed hair styling for Edward (he'd be much sexier without it); the Cullens consider themselves "vegetarians" because they only kill animals -- that's an insult!
Pleasant surprises: Edward manages to act like a teenager instead of a suave, mesmerizing vampire
Unpleasant surprises: Could have used more passion in the "romantic" scenes; when Edward reveals to Bella how he actually appears in sunlight, the cheesy F/X are a bit of a let down
Moving to the rainy northwest from sunny Tucson, Bella is out of place living with her dad, the local police chief (Billy Burke) and attending a new school. One of the more intriguing aspects of her new life is a family of vampires, the Cullens, including "father" Dr. Carlisle (Peter Facinelli), "mother" Esme (Elizabeth Reaser), Alice (Ashley Greene), Jasper (Jackson Rathbone), Emmet (Kellan Lutz) and Rosalie (Nikki Reed). And then there's Edward. Of course there's an immediate attraction between the awkward Bella and the gorgeous, stand-offish Edward which becomes the main theme of the story. The romance between the human girl and the 17 year old vampire (who's actually been around for over a hundred years) is complicted by the fact that Edward mustn't ever give in to his overwhelming desire to chomp down on Bella. A subplot involves 3 "bad" vampires (Cam Gigandet, Edi Gathegi and Rachelle Lefevre) who begin ripping up the citizens of the small town, and one of them develops a fixation on Bella. A childhood friend of Bella's, a Quileute Indian boy named Jacob (played by darling Taylor Lautner), also shows up to warn Bella about the mysterious Cullens while cultivating his own sweet crush on her. There are some exciting scenes, including a game of vampire baseball during a thunderstorm and a clash of vampires when the Cullens must face off with the evil vampires in order to protect Bella. This isn't the best vampire movie I've ever seen by any means, but it's entertaining enough and, despite my reluctance to admit it, I'm actually thinking about going to see it again. Guess the teenage girl in me isn't quite dead after all.
Things to love about this movie: A very cool soundtrack that perfectly enhances scenes in the movie; terrific cast of cute newcomers who bring a fresh, interesting take to the vampire myth; a marvelous scene where Edward flies Bella up to the treetops for a stunning look at the northwest countryside
Things to hate about this movie: That overdone, white faced, red lipped, pouffed hair styling for Edward (he'd be much sexier without it); the Cullens consider themselves "vegetarians" because they only kill animals -- that's an insult!
Pleasant surprises: Edward manages to act like a teenager instead of a suave, mesmerizing vampire
Unpleasant surprises: Could have used more passion in the "romantic" scenes; when Edward reveals to Bella how he actually appears in sunlight, the cheesy F/X are a bit of a let down
Monday, November 10, 2008
Movie Review - Changeling
Viewing the trailer for this movie, I was uncertain whether to see it or not, but a Clint Eastwood directed film, along with an Angelina Jolie performance, is always worth checking out. Jolie stars as Christine Collins in a true story about a missing boy, a corrupt police force and a ranch of horrors in 1928 Los Angeles. Working as a phone operator manager, Christine is a single mom who must leave her young son Walter (Gattlin Griffith) at home when she's called in to work on a weekend, only to find him gone when she returns. The frantic mother scours the neighborhood but is forced to wait 24 hours before officially reporting the kid as missing. Unfortunately for Christine, the LAPD has recently suffered several public relations fiascos, including charges of violent behavior toward citizens, so a collision course is set up between a police department desperate for good press and a devastated mother who only wants the return of her beloved son. The boy is quickly recovered by the LAPD, but the anticipated joy of a reunion with Walter evaporates when the kid who shows up is a complete stranger to Christine. Despite her insistence that this boy is not her missing son, Christine is persuaded to take him into her home anyway in order to avoid yet another public embarrassment for the police force. The extent to which this hapless woman is punished, including incarceration in a mental hospital, for merely trying to recover her son (while confronting the LAPD) becomes the focus of the film. An additional storyline involving a deserted ranch full of empty chicken coops and dark secrets may hold the answer to what happened to Walter.
Although this movie isn't up there with the best of Eastwood's films, there are many things to like about it. The casting is perfect right down to the smallest roles with supporting players such as Michael Kelly (Detective Lester Ybarra), Devon Conti (the wrong boy returned to Christine), Jason Butler Harner (Gordon Northcott, resident of the ranch), John Malkovich (a local activist minister who provides aid to Christine) and Amy Ryan (a fellow "prisoner" in the mental hospital) contributing outstanding performances. The period details are impeccable, along with a nice, understated score (also from Eastwood) plus the chance for Angelina to show that she's more than just the mother of millions of kids. She's an actress of exceptional skill, but there were times when her character became a bit weepy and melodramatically emotional. One of my problems was that the secondary storyline about the ranch and what happened there was more interesting than the main focus concerning the child's disappearance.
Things to love about this movie: Period touches such as phone operator managers on roller skates and old time street cars; a stand out performance from young Eddie Alderson as a pivotal character who shows up in connection with the ranch
Things to hate about this movie: The LAPD characters, with the exception of Detective Ybarra, were villainous to the point of caricature; scenes in the mental hospital were also overdone with lots of scenery chewing plus every cliche in the book
Pleasant surprises: Some really scary stuff featuring a maniac with cleavers and axes
Unpleasant surprises: The courtroom scenes in which Christine's predicament was brought to light were a bit anticlimactic; a scene where a back lot with a backdrop is clearly standing in for 1920/1930 Vancouver
Although this movie isn't up there with the best of Eastwood's films, there are many things to like about it. The casting is perfect right down to the smallest roles with supporting players such as Michael Kelly (Detective Lester Ybarra), Devon Conti (the wrong boy returned to Christine), Jason Butler Harner (Gordon Northcott, resident of the ranch), John Malkovich (a local activist minister who provides aid to Christine) and Amy Ryan (a fellow "prisoner" in the mental hospital) contributing outstanding performances. The period details are impeccable, along with a nice, understated score (also from Eastwood) plus the chance for Angelina to show that she's more than just the mother of millions of kids. She's an actress of exceptional skill, but there were times when her character became a bit weepy and melodramatically emotional. One of my problems was that the secondary storyline about the ranch and what happened there was more interesting than the main focus concerning the child's disappearance.
Things to love about this movie: Period touches such as phone operator managers on roller skates and old time street cars; a stand out performance from young Eddie Alderson as a pivotal character who shows up in connection with the ranch
Things to hate about this movie: The LAPD characters, with the exception of Detective Ybarra, were villainous to the point of caricature; scenes in the mental hospital were also overdone with lots of scenery chewing plus every cliche in the book
Pleasant surprises: Some really scary stuff featuring a maniac with cleavers and axes
Unpleasant surprises: The courtroom scenes in which Christine's predicament was brought to light were a bit anticlimactic; a scene where a back lot with a backdrop is clearly standing in for 1920/1930 Vancouver
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Movie Review - Rock N Rolla
Welcome back Guy Ritchie! Here's to real live, heart pumping, pulse jumping, pedal to the medal filmmaking. Nobody does it better. From the opening beats to the sweet mano e mano dance over the closing credits, this movie is pure Guy at his best. It's style, off beat humor, deadbeat characters, all with a kick this writer/director seems to deliver effortlessly. Taking one of the oldest plots around --- small and big time tough guys scrambling for riches -- Ritchie turns the tired story on its head, filling it with fresh, unpredictable predicaments, crazy characters and plenty of nasty humor. In fact, Ritchie himself has made a career out of retelling this same story, or something very similar, over and over again, yet every time it's as though it's never been told quite this way before. How does he do it? Impossible to say, but it's a mystery I'd rather simply enjoy than solve.
We're back in London, the new London of multi-million dollar development deals, slick Russian operators, crooked construction scams and a rapidly changing cityscape of modern chrome and steel where underworld types roam and clash. Tom Wilkinson plays Lenny, a ruthless gangster who strikes a deal with Uri (Karel Roden), a Russian guy with bottomless pockets and a "lucky" painting that becomes an unexpectedly crucial part of the action. In order to complete construction on the huge complex he wants to build, Uri must go through Lenny to bypass the usual city requirements to the tune of $7 million. Of course along the way everything not only goes awry but a motley assortment of fortune hunters comes out of the woodwork to chase the pot of cash, including a couple of lowlife pals named One Two (Gerard Butler) and Mumbles (Idris Elba) who have a knack for messing up almost everything they touch, a sexy financial advisor known as Stella (Thandie Newton) playing both ends against the middle, and drugged out, supposedly deceased rock n roller Johnny Quid (Toby Kebbell) who stumbles on a valuable piece of the puzzle. Add to the mix two club operators (played by Ludacris and Jeremy Piven) trying to locate their "dead" rock singer Quid before all their clubs get shut down, plus a gay punk called Handsome Bob (Tom Hardy) who's got a thing for One Two. Details of the story can't come close to doing justice to this free-for-all of a film though, so it's rather pointless to even try. It must be seen to be appreciated -- this movie is a real rock n rolla.
Things to love about this movie: As usual from Ritchie, an awesome soundtrack that makes scene after scene pop; Mark Strong's buttoned down, elegant performance as Lenny's lieutenant Archie; Ritchie's hilarious treatment of the awkward situation between One Two and Handsome Bob; Gerard Butler's dancing scene (well, actually two dancing scenes)
Things to hate about this movie: We had to wait so long for it to come along
Pleasant surprises: Thandie Newton (normally not one of my favorite actresses) is perfectly cast as the conniving Stella and gives a nice twist to the femme fatale role; the suggestion of a sequel at the movie's end (is it genuine or a joke?); there's pretty much one fun surprise after another
Unpleasant surprises: I can't help feeling relieved that Guy Ritchie will no longer be involved with Madonna so he can return to being the fantastic filmmaker I've missed
We're back in London, the new London of multi-million dollar development deals, slick Russian operators, crooked construction scams and a rapidly changing cityscape of modern chrome and steel where underworld types roam and clash. Tom Wilkinson plays Lenny, a ruthless gangster who strikes a deal with Uri (Karel Roden), a Russian guy with bottomless pockets and a "lucky" painting that becomes an unexpectedly crucial part of the action. In order to complete construction on the huge complex he wants to build, Uri must go through Lenny to bypass the usual city requirements to the tune of $7 million. Of course along the way everything not only goes awry but a motley assortment of fortune hunters comes out of the woodwork to chase the pot of cash, including a couple of lowlife pals named One Two (Gerard Butler) and Mumbles (Idris Elba) who have a knack for messing up almost everything they touch, a sexy financial advisor known as Stella (Thandie Newton) playing both ends against the middle, and drugged out, supposedly deceased rock n roller Johnny Quid (Toby Kebbell) who stumbles on a valuable piece of the puzzle. Add to the mix two club operators (played by Ludacris and Jeremy Piven) trying to locate their "dead" rock singer Quid before all their clubs get shut down, plus a gay punk called Handsome Bob (Tom Hardy) who's got a thing for One Two. Details of the story can't come close to doing justice to this free-for-all of a film though, so it's rather pointless to even try. It must be seen to be appreciated -- this movie is a real rock n rolla.
Things to love about this movie: As usual from Ritchie, an awesome soundtrack that makes scene after scene pop; Mark Strong's buttoned down, elegant performance as Lenny's lieutenant Archie; Ritchie's hilarious treatment of the awkward situation between One Two and Handsome Bob; Gerard Butler's dancing scene (well, actually two dancing scenes)
Things to hate about this movie: We had to wait so long for it to come along
Pleasant surprises: Thandie Newton (normally not one of my favorite actresses) is perfectly cast as the conniving Stella and gives a nice twist to the femme fatale role; the suggestion of a sequel at the movie's end (is it genuine or a joke?); there's pretty much one fun surprise after another
Unpleasant surprises: I can't help feeling relieved that Guy Ritchie will no longer be involved with Madonna so he can return to being the fantastic filmmaker I've missed
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