LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN
LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN: TAKES YOU DOWN A WINDING ROAD
Lucky Number Slevin is a tale of double crossing that shows you can never trust anyone. With its snappy dialogue, nods to classic films such as The Sting and Pulp Fiction (Yes, I am calling Pulp Fiction a classic), and awesome visuals, it is a joy to watch and deserves to be seen again. And the cast isn’t shabby either.
Slevin Kelevra (Josh Hartnett) is poor average Joe who goes to visit his friend Nick Fisher. But when Slevin gets to Nick’s apartment, he isn’t there. And did I mention that on the way to Nick’s Slevin got mugged and they took his wallet? So when some thugs come looking for Nick, they mistake Slevin for him and drag him to The Boss (Morgan Freeman). The Boss wants Nick to kill The Rabbi’s (Sir Ben Kingsley) son, to avenge his son’s death. When Slevin returns to Nick’s apartment, he is taken back out by two other thugs to see The Rabbi. The Rabbi says he owes him $33,000. No amount of explaining that he isn’t Nick Fisher helps Slevin in either of these situations. So it begins with him in a case of mistaken identity and trying to figure out a way to satisfy both crimes bosses. Along the way Slevin meets cute next door neighbor Lindsey (Lucy Liu) and we are introduced to Good Kat (Bruce Willis), a mysterious figure who tells both bosses that he will take care of “Nick” when he has accomplished their missions.
So the plot is a complex story meant to confuse you at every turn. And that is half the fun. You suspect anybody and everybody. Everybody is connected and disconnected, giving it a Pulp Fiction overtone. The visuals are stunning and just add to the attitude. They are seventies inspired with geometric figures and bright colors used in the interior designs of the apartment building where Nick Fisher lives. The costumes are very classy and preppy, reminding me of Paul Newman and Robert Redford in The Sting.
Snappy dialogue such as “My grass is always greener (The Rabbi)” and “I have a pig tail (Slevin)” keep it fun and make you not want to miss a line. And with this talented of a cast, you are given a cherry on top of the sundae. Morgan Freeman and Sir Ben Kingsley are appropriately cast. Kingsley never fails to amaze with the ease that he slips into accents. In this instance it is a Jewish accent to die for. Lucy Liu, who is a little annoying at first, wins you and Slevin over with her sweet vivaciousness. Bruce Willis is great as Good Kat, keeping his calm and dangerous attitude with just a look. Josh Hartnett is suave and arrogant as Slevin, handling his sticky situation with a smart mouth. And my favorite supporting role is Mykelti Williamson, who looks like he is playing one of his previous character’s, Bubba Gump, as a thug. He has by far one of the best lines in the movie and I won’t give it away.
The only thing that I would suggest to make this movie better would have been to slow down the dialogue a bit. It was fun to try and keep up with all the one liners but it got a bit tiring after a while.
All in all, I highly recommend Lucky Number Slevin. I think it was sadly under seen. It puts its gifted cast to good use with a great story and startling visuals. So get out there and see it!
Report Card:
Story-B+
Acting-B+
Visuals-A
Originality/Innovation-B
Enjoyability Grade–B
DVD Extras-B
Overall Grade-B
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