Lucky Number Slevin Review [2]
Posted by Chad Webb on 04.18.2006
Slevin proves to be a safe number to pick.
Josh Hartnett: Slevin
Stanley Tucci: Brikowski
Sir Ben Kingsley: The Rabbi
Bruce Willis: Mr. Goodkat
Morgan Freeman: The Boss
Lucy Liu: Lindsey
Kevin Chamberlin: Marty
Oliver Davis: Henry
Dorian Missick: Elvis
Michael Rubenfeld: Yitzchok
Janet Lane: Blondie
Directed by: Paul McGuigan
Release Date: April 7, 2006
Running Time: 109 minutes
Rated R for strong violence, sexuality and language.
Right from the start, Lucky Number Slevin makes it known that viewers have to pay attention, but even keeping a close eye on things throughout won't help until the final portion starts to develop. Viewers love these crime thrillers because we can keep guessing until the very end, and when the film we are watching gets us more involved, it makes for an enjoyable experience. Every aspect of this tale is premeditated, sophisticated, and precise, but it does not draw a straight line. This movie is a complicated deck of cards, but it carries a good hand, and comes out on top despite some significant gambles.
It is easy to relate to someone having a streak of bad luck, but in Slevin Kelevra's (Josh Hartnett) case, this streak is worse than normal. It all starts when he loses his job, but after that he catches his girlfriend with her "hand in the cookie jar" so to speak, and then he gets mugged. He decides to visit his friend Nick, but Nick is missing, so Slevin makes himself comfortable at his buddy's apartment. This continues the series of unfortunate events, because Nick owes money to two rival crime bosses named The Boss (Morgan Freeman) and The Rabbi (Sir Ben Kingsley). Both sets of goons that the crime lords send to Nick's apartment think that Slevin is their man. The Boss offers Slevin an ultimatum, which is to kill the Rabbi's son. Once he completes that task, he is debt free. Along for the bizarre journey is a barrage of unique characters. Mr. Goodkat (Bruce Willis) is a master assassin, who is close on Slevin's tale. Lindsey (Lucy Liu) is Nick's friendly wannabe sleuth neighbor, who takes a liking to Slevin. Detective Brikowski (Stanley Tucci) has been following the every move of the crime lords for a while, and gets frustrated when Slevin comes into the picture. Slevin has a decision to make, and if he wants come out of this situation alive, he will have to use his wits and charm.
He is that heartthrob girls swoon over in virtually every project he is a part of, and even though his immaturity has been clearly visible in the past, Josh Hartnett is definitely falling properly into place now as a strong force in Hollywood. He dominates the film over his veteran co-stars with hilarious smart-ass remarks and a helpless confidence. Hartnett does walk around in a towel for a bit, but he has proven that he is not just another pretty face. His role in Sin City was small, but easily his best acting to date. He capitalizes on that performance as "The Man" with an innocent and mysterious charm as Slevin.
The rest of the all-star names greatly aid in the attraction to this film. Lucy Liu is chipper and delightful as the inquisitive neighbor who wants to know more. Liu lights up the atmosphere as Lindsey. Lindsey's traits seem like they would suit the persona of Lucy Liu herself. Bruce Willis is quite complex as the assassin Mr. Goodkat. His atrocious haircut could have been changed, but Willis manipulates each soul he comes across with his peaceful manner and smooth voice. Oddly enough the two Oscar winners supply some truly average work for as legendary as they usually are. Morgan Freeman is always wonderful to watch on screen, but he is anything but a menacing crime lord here. By the same token, I cannot look at Sir Ben Kingsley the same after watching him in BloodRayne. Still, as the "gangster" Rabbi he sports a strange goatee, and delivers some quality pieces of dialogue. This is does not even touch his depiction in Sexy Beast. Each person is basically a caricature, but without these eccentric personalities, this winding road would not be near as fun.
Lucky Number Slevin is reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction and The Usual Suspects, but there could be worse movies to draw inspiration from. The similarities that Slevin had to any other film never bothered me in the least. Director Paul McGuigan is so diligent and thorough with his every move that at times the dialogue and sequences seem too fixed. However, I have not enjoyed dialogue such as this since the overlooked gem from 2005, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Screenwriter Jason Smilovic and Paul McGuigan send moviegoers through a maze of deception, murder, and romance that has gaps when it is harshly analyzed, but those faults are not as bothersome as one might expect. While Guigan and Smilovic are gifted members of the crew, Andre Hulme's editing is a razzle dazzle sensation that unveils its genius unmistakably during the final act.
This case of mistaken identity takes some wide steps on its path, and stumbles along the way, but quickly catches its footing as a fresh, incisive, and hypnotic wacky thriller. This whirlwind story of revenge is a sinister and deceitful beauty with hints of comedy and exaggeration as it curves through a clever plot. In a word, this film has attitude, and it displays a fulfilling show, regardless of some minor nuisances.
The 411: I was not sure what to expect with Lucky Number Slevin, but I had a good time watching it. It was kind of hum-drum towards the middle, but it picks itself up from that rather quickly. Every member of the cast has a tremendous time executing their performances. Director Paul McGuigan and Screenwriter Jason Smilovic make a good team, and hopefully we can look forward to good material in the future from these two, whether they are together or not. This is definitely worth seeing in the theater.
