Review of Lucky Number Slevin (2006) by Sean G — 16 Dec 2009

"There was a time." - Mr. Goodkat.

A trivial, but entertaining crime thriller.

Slevin Kelevra is man in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and has become a victim of mistaken identity. The young man is thrust into a feud between two mob bosses, The Rabbi and The Boss. Both are demanding that Slevin hand over a handsome some of money within a strict deadline. Slevin can not leave the city, can't get into contact with the police, and his moves are being watched. Working behind the scenes is a mysterious figure known as Mr. Goodkat, who has a plan to assassinate Slevin. Slevin, a man with little resources, comes up with a plan to get his tormentors before they get him.

This 2006 flick is directed by Paul McGuigan, a director not known too broadly in cinema. His work with this film has resulted in an entertaining, though uneven thriller that recycles an idea that has been used several times before and after. While watching this film, an average movie watcher would be able to pick up on the plot of this film, and how it is going to unfold. Lucky Number Slevin is a film that borrows an idea from The Usual Suspects (1995), and tries to gain the viewer's admiration by emulating that film's concept with twists that become too plentiful and trivial.

The main character, Slevin Kelevra, is played by Josh Hartnett. The character seems like a regular guy, but as we learn by the film's end, everything is not as it seems with Slevin. He begins a relationship with a woman named Lindsey (Lucy Liu), and has debts to pay with The Rabbi (Ben Kingsley) and The Boss (Morgan Freeman). Watching him throughout this story is Mr. Goodkat (Bruce Willis), a remorseless hitman who seems to have a master plan at work. Hartnett and Liu give serviceable performances, but they don't amount to memorable ones. Disappointing for me in this film were Morgan Freeman and Ben Kingsley. Now, everyone on the planet knows that these two men are great actors, but their performances as villains left much to be desired. Freeman never seems to be great as a villain; he always serves better as a mentor, assistant, or supplier. If you want proof, compare his roles in Million Dollar Baby or The Dark Knight, to his work in this film or The Code. Ben Kingsley has been in many great films (Ghandi, Schindler's List), but here he isn't intimidating as much as we know he could be. Bruce Willis really kicks ass as Mr. Goodkat, and he is a guy that we are not sure what his motives are, but we know he is a dangerous and unpredictable man.

The film opens up well, and with a good mob/crime feel. As the plot progresses with the introduction of Slevin and Lindsey, it is clear that things are becoming a bit uneven. What started off as a kick-ass crime flick, becomes a happy-go-lucky/dumb movie. At several points in the film, the dialogue becomes lame and retarded with some of the characters, and you don't even know what the point of some of the scenes are. The music too, does not seem to find its footing. Sometimes it's good, and other times it feels like it doesn't belong. This all amounts to a film that at some times feels like an authentic crime flick like The Departed, but at other times it doesn't.

The film opens up well, has a good ending, and has some nice action set pieces. It would have been better with better direction, writing, screenplay, and more dimensions given to the villains. Still, it is a film worth watching. Some people will hate this flick, some will be indifferent, and some will consider it a cult classic. Rent it, borrow it, or buy it to make up your opinion.

Wrong Time. Wrong Place. Wrong Number.