#22
Post
by TheyCallMeMrGlass » Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:46 am
I went to see this too, today. I wasnt expecting too much because I'm not familiar with the director's previous work which most notably includes The Road. But the high calibre cast is sure as heck enticing!
I enjoyed this prohibition era gangster movie done western style but it is not in anyway going to be a very memorable one, certainly no where in the league of my favourites such as Untouchables, Godfather II, Road to Perdition, Once Upon a Time in America, and Millers Crossing.
It was clear from the start, or as soon as Guy Pearce made his appearance that this was going to be a build up to Gunfight at the OK Coral type of film.
So we have Laboofy top billing here amongst a high calibre cast. There is a frightening sense of foreboding doom about that casting element with me because LaWoof is a rather ordinary actor to me. However, his character is a weak minded and somewhat cowardly, pretty boy who wishes he could be as brave as his iron fisted older and fatherly brother (the ultra cool but also ultra grunting Tom Hardy). So I can see why LaPoof gets top billing and in that respect, its perfect casting. Personally I think LaBeef did well. He doesnt have the heavyweight presence of Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman and Guy Pearce and that was the point.
Its Guy Pearce who steals the show with another character creation of sadistic evil. He's great but I have to admit in an OTT way. Still, without him, the film would be boring. Tom Hardly acts but he is cool and sardonic, and goes about business that Clint Eastwood might approve of down to the minimal grunting dialogue. Gary Oldman was literally in cameo territory, its good to see him back in bad guy role and even the small scenes he's got, the screen ignited. Its as if he is passing the baton onto Guy Pearce "its your turn to do evil now, boy".
There was great character moments and confrontations, a sprinkle of comic relief sometimes when I least expected it but welcome nonetheless, two very different but briefly charming romances and some effectively dramatic moments.
I cant really fault the movie too much, technically, it told a story, its a good story and its entertaining enough. Its also well acted by all (or well non-acted in Tom Hardy's case). But there are 3 problems I have with the film. The first is the lack of chemistry in the relationship between the brothers. These are the main protagonists, so if the film could have injected more spark into this dynamic, it could have elevated this into something more memorable. I think about old classics like Gunfight at the OK Coral and Rio Bravo etc, all those movies are memorable not for their action but for their chemistry in friendship relationships. This is what the film sorely lacks. the next problem is that the narrative seems really disjointed and I have a feeling there are maybe a lot of cuts. If there is a longer cut on its Blu Ray release, I might like to check that out as I still enjoyed this enough to watch again. Finally, my last gripe with this film is that it arrives at a finale too abruptly and rather underwhelmingly, lacking the oomph and impact that such a finale needs.
Oh and not really a gripe but there are some injuries incurred by a certain character here that defies logic in science and nature. Its amusing because it actually serves part of the story but I did detect some groans from the audience!
Overall its enjoyable, but I reckon one's enjoyment will be largely hinged on whether you can tolerate Labrief as I can totally understand he's the sort of actor that can annoy the fmuk out of you, or doesnt. The film's got some violent scenes but apart from one real gory shocker (prepare yourself!), the violence is quite palatable considering the nature of this type of movie.
I'd give this 7.5/10
As Tariq said, I don't think I'd want to watch it again even for free! 
