BEFORE: Expectations are running high tonight, I've been waiting years for premium cable to run this one, and some channel finally did so a few weeks ago. I've noticed a lot of movie turnover after each January 1, so the channels must have new movie deals that kick in with the New Year. I've met Max Allan Collins, the writer of the original comic-book - sorry, graphic novel - that this is based on. Several times he's come to my boss's booth at Comic-Con, and he always has seemed like a very friendly chap.
THE PLOT: Bonds of loyalty are put to the test when a hitman's son witnesses what his father does for a living.
AFTER: I accidentally (?) programmed three movies in a row that not only feature criminals on the run, but have all featured them on the run with young boys. Perhaps I subconsciously linked the movies in my head, based on what little I knew about them - or else it's another happy accident, which is also good. I think the theory goes that if you place a criminal in a situation with a young, innocent boy, portraying him as a father (or father figure) it will soften elements of the criminal, and make him more accessible to the audience.
This is a very complex story and I don't want to give too much away - but if you can imagine a story similar in tone to "The Sopranos" mixed with "Sin City", set in the era of "The Untouchables", you'll start to get the idea. And if you can accept Tom Hanks (last seen in "Angels and Demons") as a mob hitman, well, then you're halfway home. Maybe you can't accept the star of "Big" and "Bosom Buddies" in such a capacity - well, then, there's the door, don't forget your hat. Go on, grown-ups are watching movies now.
I found this story had a lot of layers - though it didn't seem to exactly follow standard six-act structure, there was more meat to it than last night's bare-bones fugitive plot. I like when every action has a consequence, and that consequence becomes another call to action - to me that's a sign of an intelligent plot.
Plus even though many of the main characters are criminals/mob figures, the morality was still present. The mob has a code of honor, or so we're led to believe, even if that code involves graft, bootlegging and yes, murder. But can a killer have redeeming qualities? Can there be good aspects to bad people? Are people inherently good or evil? Again, I don't expect complete answers to these questions - the fact that the questions get raised is usually enough.
A mob boss, his deceitful son, and his loyal pseudo-son. That sort of says it all - I've given away nothing, but I've told you everything you need to know. And a good story flows from a good set-up.
Also starring Paul Newman (last seen in "The Hudsucker Proxy"), Daniel Craig, Jennifer Jason Leigh (also last seen in "The Hudsucker Proxy"), Jude Law (last seen in "The Talented Mr. Ripley"), Stanley Tucci (last seen in "America's Sweethearts") as Frank Nitti (!), and Dylan Baker (last seen in "The Tailor of Panama").
RATING: 8 out of 10 bullet holes
No comments:
Post a Comment