Review of The Lookout (2007) by Chelsea K — 27 Sep 2009

Intelligent and unsentimental film that unfortunately succombs to genre conventions in its last half-hour. Up until then though, the main attraction is watching Levitt's character being tempted to succomb to his self-loathing.

Matthew Goode is his perfect foil; from his first appearence we too are made to feel that there is nothing that this guy can't accomplish, and nothing he is unable to offer. He talks reasonably, smoothly and respectfully; it's easy to see why anybody in Levitt's position would give in to him.

In a classic and heavy-handed irony, the only person who can really see what Goode's motives are is a blind man. Jeff Daniels is on career-best form here, playing a bitter man who gets by on his humour, we feel both sides of his personality.

Even though he lacks the power of Al Pacino in 'Scent of a Woman', he's not a powerful man, but he radiates intelligence and he's a straight-talker, just like Goode, although all he has to offer is the impotence that comes with morality, a position that ultimately gives the film its bleakness.

Daniels is the star of the picture; all of Levitt's actions are judged in terms of his words and advice, and in terms of how they will affect him.