Lucky Number Slevin (D+ or 1.5/4 stars)
Hokey is a word I'd use to describe 'Lucky Number Slevin', a noir thriller directed by Paul McGuigan. It is New York City, and an unlucky Slevin Kelevra (Josh Hartnett) is mistaken to be one, Nick (a man who woes 'The Boss' gambling debts). He finds himself thrown into the middle of a dark scheme. This scheme is a war (of sorts) that is brewing between two mobsters, the afformentioned 'Boss' (Morgan Freeman) and 'The Rabbi' (Ben Kingsley). Slevin has to come up with $96,000 for 'The Boss', and separately, $33,000 for 'The Rabbi'. We are told early on that this whole film and its' plot is a con. Therefore, the plot is easier to figure out, & entertainment is all I can hope for; I wasn't entertained.
Slevin has but a few hours to conjure this money, or else he dies (even though he is not 'Nick'). Meanwhile, Slevin's girlfriend, Lindsey (Lucy Liu), is thrown into the mix. Detective Brikowski (Stanley Tucci) is hot on Slevin's unfortunate trail. And assassin, 'Goodkat' (Bruce Willis), is playing all sides to prevent his own assassination. I could be in the minority here, but I found the movie to be overly violent (without much suspense), poorly written, & ostentatiously designed.
Josh Hartnett has his moments, but his delivery of certain lines felt like he was showing off. Morgan Freeman is Morgan Freeman. But his gentleman's delivery of lines within this script is not as effective as it usually is. 'Ditto' for Ben Kingsley. Bruce Willis' portrayal of an assassin here just comes across as silly. Only Lucy Liu is able to find a way into this film & act semi-appropriately within the confines of the twisting plot. Every character has a lot of comic one-liners that sprout up throughout the script. Some are funny; too many are overdone and uber-witty. There's a lot of show-offiness in the script that provokes irritation, not appreciation. At times, I didn't know whether to be horrified or humored. I didn't feel like I was let in to the inside joke that had been kept from us until the last 20 minutes.
The first 20 minutes drew me in, & the last 20 are summed up just fine. But the hour in the middle made my head bobble in boredom & triteness. The film is a con. There are cons in the movie. The characters are tricked, & so are we. Tricks are good, but not in 'Lucky Number Slevin'. The movie wants to be smarter than we are. The cast & crew want to be smarter than we are. The movie tried to be so cool, that all it did was make me dislike it more. Who wants to put up with that? I felt like I was watching Ocean's 12 all over again. What I feel like saying to all involved with this project is, 'I'm glad y'all had a blast, send me a party favor'.
Slevin has but a few hours to conjure this money, or else he dies (even though he is not 'Nick'). Meanwhile, Slevin's girlfriend, Lindsey (Lucy Liu), is thrown into the mix. Detective Brikowski (Stanley Tucci) is hot on Slevin's unfortunate trail. And assassin, 'Goodkat' (Bruce Willis), is playing all sides to prevent his own assassination. I could be in the minority here, but I found the movie to be overly violent (without much suspense), poorly written, & ostentatiously designed.
Josh Hartnett has his moments, but his delivery of certain lines felt like he was showing off. Morgan Freeman is Morgan Freeman. But his gentleman's delivery of lines within this script is not as effective as it usually is. 'Ditto' for Ben Kingsley. Bruce Willis' portrayal of an assassin here just comes across as silly. Only Lucy Liu is able to find a way into this film & act semi-appropriately within the confines of the twisting plot. Every character has a lot of comic one-liners that sprout up throughout the script. Some are funny; too many are overdone and uber-witty. There's a lot of show-offiness in the script that provokes irritation, not appreciation. At times, I didn't know whether to be horrified or humored. I didn't feel like I was let in to the inside joke that had been kept from us until the last 20 minutes.
The first 20 minutes drew me in, & the last 20 are summed up just fine. But the hour in the middle made my head bobble in boredom & triteness. The film is a con. There are cons in the movie. The characters are tricked, & so are we. Tricks are good, but not in 'Lucky Number Slevin'. The movie wants to be smarter than we are. The cast & crew want to be smarter than we are. The movie tried to be so cool, that all it did was make me dislike it more. Who wants to put up with that? I felt like I was watching Ocean's 12 all over again. What I feel like saying to all involved with this project is, 'I'm glad y'all had a blast, send me a party favor'.