El Cosmico Recommends THE WAY OF THE GUN and Comments On TRAFFIC

El Cosmico here, with another recommendation for the weekend, Chris McQuarrie's THE WAY OF THE GUN.

Those folks who read my stuff know that I usually only review stuff that I really like, and think is worth mentioning, and I rarely talk about the rest. I have work coming at me from all sides, and there are plenty of people to review stuff at AICN, so I have to really like something to review it.

So, I'm reviewing THE WAY OF THE GUN. It's been a disappointing summer in many ways, with a few gems to brighten things up, and along with Godzilla 2000, this is a film that's really worth the cash and time. First off, this is just a clever film, well-written and directed, with a fresh take on gunfighting, including an excellent, bass-heavy sound mix on the shotgun blasts (whee!), interesting and humorous characters, plot development that is anything but predictable, fine performances all around, and a score that's right-on.

In many ways, the film is a study in cliche, with well-used themes that we've all seen, except that they're frequently executed with just a little more smoothness and measure than we typically get to see. Filmmaking like this shows that a truly talented fellow can take something you've seen a million times over, and make you believe you're seeing it for the first time. Really enjoyable.

As for performances, well, I can't believe I'm going to say this, it actually hurts to type the words...but I thought Ryan Phillipe did a fine job. There, I said it. Hands...struggling to keep away from the delete key... Simply unreal. For long parts of the film, I didn't remember that this guy on the screen who was doing a really good bit of work was Ryan Phillipe. Could it be, that he has talent, but has just made awful choices up to this point? After watching this film, I'd lay even odds that such is the case. Easily the most surprising aspect of this film for me.

Of course, James Caan is amazing. He's JAMES CAAN. I don't really need to say more. He's JAMES CAAN. CAAAANNN!!!!

The final fellow I have to mention is Benicio del Toro. Could this guy be any more brilliant? He's simply one of the best actors around anywhere. Period. The guy's got character exploding out of him. Now, the role he's given in this film isn't incredible, it's just a good, solid role. So, you might not realize why I give him such high praise just from watching THE WAY OF THE GUN. But, having just seen a VERY rough cut of TRAFFIC, which he also stars in, well, I won't comment on the film, because it's just too early to judge, the cut is just too rough right now, but I have to say, I MUST SAY, that Benicio del Toro's performance in TRAFFIC is SURE, ABSOLUTELY SURE to be one of the finest performances by a lead actor this year. Truly stunning. The depth with which he plays his character is something he should be proud of for the rest of his life. He MUST get an Oscar nomination for best actor, and he should probably take home the statue too. I can't think of another film I've seen this year with anywhere near the emotional force and intelligence of del Toro in TRAFFIC. So there.

Okay, this is supposed to be a review for THE WAY OF THE GUN, so let me just add a few things. If you have children, well, obviously, don't take them. There are some really disgusting (but appropriate and enjoyable) moments in this film. Sarah Silverman's small part in the opening scene is one of the finest bits of swearing I have ever seen. If there were an award for swearing, she'd get a nominating vote from me. Good show, Sarah! Ahh...what else? Nothing else. Just go see it, because it's good and you'll have fun. That's all the reason you need.