The Score
Starring: Robert de Niro, Edward Norton, Angela Bassett and Marlon Brando. Music by Howard Shore. Directed by Frank Oz.
Picture this: one expert thief thinking about giving the game away; his fence/partner/oldest-and-dearest-friend; a brash up-and-coming young thief (‘clever, but without the necessary discipline’); the obligatory love interest of the main character; and one last big, risky heist.
Sound familiar? That is the weakest point about this film — it’s all been done before. Although he gives a typically good performance, there is also the feeling of more of the same from Robert de Niro — some of his dialogue even seems to be lifted from previous films. Edward Norton is also quite good, providing a nice foil, though his character is never really developed — a fact that weakens the last act of the film. Angela Bassett tries hard with the little material she is given, and Marlon Brando has tremendous fun with his role as a flamboyant jewel-fence.
The direction from Frank Oz — quite an accomplished director when he doesn’t have his hand up Yoda’s arse, and who was last seen behind the lens for the excellent Bowfinger — is effective, and the pacing for this two hour long film feels right. In the scenes between Brando and de Niro (pretty much the only time Brando is on screen) you do get the feeling, however, that the actors took over, leaving Frank with little to say but ‘action’ and ‘cut’. The incidental music by Howard Shore is, well, incidental, but it does what it has to do, I suppose. Apparently, he’s been quoted as saying this film was ‘a contractual obligation that he had to get out of the way’ so he could concentrate on his great opus for Lord of the Rings.
This is Robert de Niro’s film from start to finish (he’s probably in 90% of the scenes in the film), and his character is the only one who we really get to know. The planning and execution of the caper, of course, dominate the plot. There are a few touches of humour, moments of suspense and an ending that doesn’t quite work/is not entirely satisfying. Overall, it’s a stylish crime-caper thriller with enough twists to keep your attention, but the occasional flat-spot and lack of any originality prevent me from giving this the coveted two thumbs up. If you like this genre (as I do) and are casting around for a film to go and see it’s worth seeing it on the big screen, otherwise wait for the DVD/video.
Craig P
