Hey folks, Harry here, I'm not very convinced on this film. Ed Norton looks like ass in this thing, and watching the trailer... All I can think is how I can't wait to see Charlize Theron fucking Peter Sellers next year! That'll rule!
Greetings Harry!
Tis I, the greatest nose of them all, the daring, swashbuckling Cyrano de Bergerac!
I come to you from Los Angeles with a sneak peek review of the upcoming Italian Job. I don't know if you have many of these, but I thought I'd reveal my opinion to you.
This movie is above all a heist movie, and like so many other heist pictures (and there are many, believe me) the plot is so instantly recognizable that it almost feels like spending 2 hours with an old friend. We who love cinema should all know the basics of what will happen: there will be thieves exuding more coolness than than one man can handle, pulling off 'jobs' so unrealistic and impossible that just trying to figure them out is more than half the fun. They will perform stunts and feats of daring-do that most men can only dream of, and (most amazing) they will successfully navigate through a sea of twists and double-crosses and emerge unscathed (possibly) in the end. Throughout the story there may be other common elements: a wise and beloved mentor, the UNDYING theme of 'one last job', the background montage explaining who all the thieves are and what there expertise is. In this particular movie (as the advertisments proudly proclaim) there resides also the theme of 'getting even'.
I will not spoil the plot (the trailers have suffiently done that), but only say that Mark Walberg and Charlize Theron lead a team of thieves on a job that is, of course, impossible, and completely fun along the way. Although I knew this plot completely, I smiled wide the entire time. Much of this response came from the joyous fun of seeing the heist. It is planned with great imagination and complexity, utulizing the environment of Los Angeles with giant flare. Although it does not in any way hold up to logic (do any of these heists actually make sense in retrospect?), the joy is in the journey. I do not ask for great philosophy with these movies, just to be entertained, and the film delivered.
The cast also delivered, I suppose, although some did more than others. First of all, Seth Green absolutely owns the comedy in this picture. As a computer genius continually mourning the theft of his 'Napster' idea, he generates almost all the big laughs. The other supporting characters are all fun, but I can hardly remeber most of them now, or what particular trait they supposedly embodied. Charlize Theron has done better, but not sadly for some time now. Although this film does not revive her from the pits of mediocre roles, she seems to have fun and holds the audience attention while on screen. Another sad note is how Ed Norton phones in this performance. Unfortunately, if he does not think that the role will win him an award, he just cruises on charisma, which he has in abundance. I still wait for him to show his greatness again. Lastly, Mark Walberg. I must say, the first film I saw him in was Three kings, and he blew me away. His acting during the interogation scene came across heartbreakingly perfect. Since then, however, it has been steaply down hill. Without even going into the horror that was his Planet of the Apes performance, I will just say that he is slightly better here. The problem is his role: he represents the calm, COOL leader, and although he pulls it off, he has nothing else to do. He justs acts calm, and COOL. After a while, it's just BORING.
Still, I recommend the film for the tightly paced, highly creative action, the very funny dialogue, and the pure fun of being swept away into the distant realms of unfeasible plots and COOL execution. Admit it; we love these films not for what they are, but for how they're done.
I read your site a lot, Harry. Whether I always agree with you or not, your passion for film is both fun and contagious. Thank you much.
On my knees before God, on my feet before men, and always pining for my Roxanne,
I am Cyrano
