Lucky Number Slevin
This murder-filled flick is a well-produced, well-acted and pretty well-written cinematic showcase. Lucky Number Slevin is a far cry from star Josh Hartnett’s usual ho-hum, younger crowd-pleasing movies like Wicker Park or 40 Days and 40 Nights. Directed by Paul McGuigan and written by Jason Smilovic, Lucky Number Slevin also boasts the impressive acting chops of Lucy Liu, Morgan Freeman, Ben Kingsley and Bruce Willis. Somehow this seemingly mismatched crowd of actors makes this flick work.
The story begins with Hartnett’s character, Slevin, and the very worst day anyone could ever have. Slevin loses his job and his apartment, discovers his girlfriend in bed with another man and gets mugged. Through it all, though, the sly Slevin keeps that certain little bounce in his step. Skipping out on his bad luck town and ending up at a friend’s pad in New York, Slevin encounters the equally spry, Lindsey, his friend’s neighbor. Their banter begins from the get-go and, although totally adorable and witty, the cutesiness of their snappy and cutting remarks kind of grates on the nerves a little. Who, in real life, has the energy for that kind of persistent persiflage? On the one hand it’s fun and entertaining, but on the other hand it just tries a little too hard. I’d say that is the one major flaw in this film, but luckily it is easily redeemed for it many other merits.
Slevin’s unfortunate run of bad luck continues on as he is swiped from his friend’s apartment due to a case of mistaken identity and whisked away on two separate adventures to see The Boss (Freeman) and, then, The Rabbi (Kingsley). We soon find out that these two figures are actually nemeses and Slevin is expected to follow murderous orders from each of them to pay off a debt that is not even his. Interwoven throughout these visits and the ensuing story are the intermittent visits from Mr. Goodcat, the Willis character who is seemingly after the head of Slevin, as well.
While the Slevin and Lindsey budding romance storyline can be tedious, they are both very good in these roles. Lindsey, the bouncy and beaming coroner, is at once sexy and sweet--- a smoothly-played stretch from her usual blatantly provocative roles. Hartnett, too, finally shows some true star quality that will ensure his longevity in this business.
In addition to the stellar star performances, a seat-of-your-pants plot and a nicely crafted script, cinematographer, Peter Sova, really creates a mood in this film that is in a class all its own. The contrasting use of dull grays next to the eye-popping array of bright colors and patterns really give this motion picture a splash of interest at every step. Every room we enter seems to be decorated with some off-the-wall on-the-wall artful display. Whether it is the field of charismatic flowers that dons Lindsey’s bedroom walls or the psychedelic geometric patterns that envelope us in a hallway during Slevin’s sleuthing, we are constantly entertained by a modern day film noir contrast.
Grades
Overall: A-
Story: A-
Acting: A
Visuals: A
Originality/Innovation: A-
Enjoyability: A-
DVD Extras: C
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