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Jewel
Thieves Three
Edgy performances save
routine heist flick.
By Lois
Wadsworth
THE SCORE: Directed by Frank Oz. Written
by Kario Salem, Lem Dobbs and Scott Marshall Smith, based on a story by Daniel E.
Taylor and Salem. Produced by Gary Foster and Lee Rich. Cinematography, Rob Hahn.
Production design, Jackson De Govia. Editor, Richard Pearson. Costumes, Aude Bronson-Howard.
Music Producer, Budd Carr. Music, Howard Shore. Starring Robert De Niro, Edward Norton,
Angela Bassett and Marlon Brando. Paramount Pictures, Manadalay, 2001. R. 123 minutes.
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Nick Wells (Robert
DeNiro, right) shows Jack Teller (Edward Norton) the construction of the safe he's
going to break into.
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Heist movies are a staple in the entertainment industry, remaining
popular over time. It's easy to see why: simple plot, sustained suspense, intense
acting opportunity. The Score scores with all three. The plot becomes increasingly
muddied as the movie progresses, but its core remains simple: Break in to the Montreal
Customs House, snare a rare, jewel-encrusted scepter and get the hell out.
Suspense during the actual heist itself is elevated. This is a
very bold strike into a warehouse fortified with redundant electronic, human and
manual security systems. But it's more than just a few minutes of thrills, like Mission
Impossible II, because three powerhouse actors take the active roles. Marlon
Brando plays Max, the well-connected, international fence for stolen goods; Robert
DeNiro portrays Nick Wells, the highly intelligent, nimble-fingered jewel thief who
masterminds the caper. And Edward Norton makes Jack Teller a credibly aggressive
young insider who scopes out the opportunity and provides cover during the heist.
Trouble is, Nick wants out of the business. For a lot of money,
Max persuades him to stay the course. But as things begin to go south -- and they
must, else where's the kick? -- Nick has second thoughts. Jack is a pain in the ass.
Neither Max nor Nick trusts him initially, but after Jack proves invaluable in the
dry runs, their confidence in him grows.
The real problem is that we've seen this movie before. More than
once or twice. To stand out, a caper or heist movie has to be really, really good.
Some of the best from the last few years include Croupier, a sophisticated
and mind-boggling 2000 movie about a
convoluted casino robbery in London.
John Boorman's 1998 The General tells about a cheeky Irish folk hero and master
criminal, who for-real once stole a gold record
from Boorman's home in the U.K. Steven Soderbergh's 1999 L.A. revenge caper movie,
The Limey, and Sam Raimi's nearly perfect 1998 film, A Simple Plan,
are simply excellent in every regard. These four films are so good that I can't even
speak of The Score in the same breath.
But what keeps me interested in The Score is the actors.
Brando, despite his Falstaffian girth, has lost none of his acting chops. Less a
campy caricature of himself than in such ridiculous movies as The Island of Dr.
Moreau, Brando has a thousand little acting tricks up his sleeve, and he uses
them judiciously here. Laconic De Niro makes acting look easy with the nuanced glance,
the throw-away gesture that perfectly expresses what he means, his direct gaze. It's
some of the best work DeNiro's done in awhile, but let's face it: Director Frank
Oz is no Martin Scorsese. Norton is chillingly convincing as he flips from Jack's
disguise as a physically and mentally impaired janitor into the wannabe master criminal's
cocky smirk of superiority.
Too bad Angela Bassett is wasted as Brando's girlfriend here. She
could have handled a piece of the action, as Pam Grier did in Jackie Brown.
We know how talented Bassett is because of Malcolm X and What's Love Got
to Do With It?, but since the early '90s she's had nothing but fluff to work
with.
The Score isn't a great film, but compared to most of the
summer movies, it's a cut above. Pay attention when you first go into Nick's jazz
club, and you might catch the deliriously talented and beautiful Cassandra Wilson
singing while Mose Allison plays. Film's score is great. Now playing at Cinemark.
Recommended.
Independent
Woman
The life and loves of
Alma Mahler.
By Lois
Wadsworth
BRIDE OF THE WIND: Directed by Bruce
Beresford. Written by Marilyn Levy. Cinematographer, Peter James. Original music
by Stephen Endelman and Alma Mahler. Non-original music by Gustav Mahler. Editor,
Tim Wellburn. Production design, Herbert Pinter. Art direction, Christian Marin.
Set decoration,. Barbara Demmer. Costumes, Shuna Harwood. Starring Sarah Wynter,
with Jonathan Pryce, Vincent Perez and Simon Verhoeven. Also, August Schmölzer,
Dagmar Schwarz and Wolfgang Hübsch. Paramount Classics. R. 99 minutes.
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Gustav Mahler (Jonathan
Pryce) and Alma Schindler Mahler (Sarah Wynter).
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Acclaimed director Bruce Beresford (Breaker Morant, Tender
Mercies) and cinematographer Peter James have worked together before, on the
1997 WWII film, Paradise Road, which was based on a true story of American,
British and Australian women who fled a bombed ship, made their way to Sumatra and
were interned in a brutal Japanese prison work camp. There they kept their spirits
up through singing symphonic music remembered and re-orchestrated for voice. Music
is also one of the great accomplishments of Bride of the Wind, much of it
the work of Alma Mahler.
Bride of the Wind opens in Vienna during Sigmund Freud's
day, as the independent Alma Schindler (Sarah Wynter) defies convention when she
goes by herself (in a drop-dead red dress) to a somewhat notorious Artists and Models
Ball. While solidly upper-class, Alma's mother (Dagmar Schwarz) has raised her daughter
to be a free spirit. Alma composes music and knows the city's intellectuals, musicians
and artists, such as Gustav Klimt (August Schmölzer). She wanders into Klimt's
studio as he paints a nude model and thinks nothing of it. Beautiful enough to be
a Klimt model herself, Alma is too wise to chose that path.
When Alma expresses her opinion of the city's Imperial Opera director,
composer Gustav Mahler (Jonathan Pryce), at a dinner party, the other guests try
to hush her. She doesn't love Mahler's music, she says -- too dark and brooding for
her taste. But Mahler is also a guest, and he makes it his goal to change her mind.
He also adores her. Despite their opposing dispositions -- she's sunny, he's moody
-- they marry and have two daughters within a couple of years.
Alma has given up composing her own music, but basking in the reflected
glory of her husband's musical triumph is not what this energetic and talented woman
expected. So when she meets painter Oskar Kokoschka (Vincent Perez), the first of
many men who will fall in love with her, Alma must choose between her bourgeois marriage
and an openly sexual liaison with a poor artist. Later, as the widow of the great
composer, the same temptations arise but carry far less societal risk.
Alma's unconventional life puts an interesting twist on what it
was like to live a life of privilege in this cultural center of European society
at the turn of the century, just as the Austro-Hungarian empire began unraveling.
A series of wars, culminating in WWI's horrors, brought an end to both innocence
and the empire. Artists may have no use for war, but threatened empires have always
used them for canon fodder during wartime.
The problem with this seriously flawed but gorgeous biopic is Marilyn
Levy's flaccid script. It's a dull thing about a lively, fascinating woman. Alma
is shown only in her surface behavior. Because there's little depth, we don't care
about her. She comes off as an adventuress, rather than as an important composer
in her own right as well as a creative personality of passionate temperament. Her
suitors seem shallow -- the renowned Mahler, the respected painter Kikoschka and
Alma's final husband, the German American architect Walter Gropius, originator of
the Bauhaus style.
Even the film's many visual delights, including the stunning Wynter
herself, can overcome the prosaic screenplay only briefly. Too bad. This hot subject
deserved at least as much freedom of expression as the young Alma assumed was hers
by right. Opens Friday, July 20, at the Bijou.
OPENING
OR RETURNING:
Films open the Friday following date of EW publication unless
otherwise noted.
America's Sweethearts: Directed by Joe Roth as a spoof on Hollywood's
publicity industry, a famous Hollywood couple played by Catherine Zeta-Jones and
John Cusack) try to fool movie critics on a junket that they're still together. Also
stars Julia Roberts, Billy Crystal, Hank Azaria. Stanley Tucci, Christopher Walken,
Alan Arkin and Seth Green. Cinemark. Cinema World. PG-13.
Animal, The: Wimp Marvin (Rob Schneider) becomes a super
cop after surgery following an accident leaves him with animal organs. Now, his instincts
are taking over, and it isn't a nice picture. Luke Greenfield makes his directorial
debut; also stars Coleen Haskell. PG-13. Movies 12.
Bob Marley and the Wailers: Jo Mendel's 1986 British documentary
featuring original music by Bob Marley. Also stars Bunny Marley and Peter Tosh. At
9 pm Wed. July 25 on the east lawn EMU. Free.
Bride of the Wind: Bruce Beresford's gorgeous period piece
about the life and times of Alma Mahler. A classical composer in her own right, as
well as a good looking, independent woman, she moved in a world of Vienna's privileged
elite, artists and musicians. Stars Sarah Wynter. Beautiful cinematography and majestic
music, but a prosaic screenplay. R. Bijou. See
review.
Jurassic Park 3: Sam Neill reprises his role as paleontologist
Grant. Joe Johnston directs. Grant takes a rich adventurer (William H. Macy) and
his wife (Téa Leoni) for a fly-by of the forbidden island. Lots of dinosaurs!
PG-13. Opens Wed. July 25. Cinemark. Cinema World.
What's the Worst That Could Happen: Thief Martin Lawrence
and businessman Danny DeVito star in this Sam Weisman comedy about a ring DeVito
steals off of Lawrence's hand as he's taken off to jail. Revenge ensues, with comic
results. With John Leguizamo, Glenne Headley, William Fichtner and Bernie Mac. PG-13.
Movies 12.
CONTINUING
A.I.: Steven Spielberg directs this film, based
loosely on a project of the late Stanley Kubrick and a story by sci-fi writer Brian
Aldiss. In a future filled with environmental catastrophes, Haley Joel Osment plays
an 11-year old android aware of his own existence who wants to become a boy. Sexy
star Jude Law plays a sex toy. Also stars Frances O'Connor and William Hurt. Imperfect
gotta-see movie. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. See review.
Along Came a Spider: Morgan Freeman stars as Detective Alex
Cross in the prequel to Kiss the Girls, this time with Monica Potter as his
partner. Directed by Lee Tamahori (Once Were Warriors), thriller also stars
Dylan Baker and Michael Wincott. R. Movies. 12.
Angel Eyes: Luis Mandoki's romance between a cop (Jennifer
Lopez) and a mysterious man (Jim Caviezel) also stars Sonia Braga. LA Weekly calls
it a "sappy love story," and blames scriptwriter Gerald DiPego who "plots
himself into a dead end where the only way out is to have the lovers each deliver
life-changing, soul-purging monologues." R. Movies 12.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire: Disney animated tale directed
by Beauty and Beast team, Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale. A museum cartographer
named Milo finds a map to Atlantis and heads an expedition to the lost land. Voices
include Michael J. Fox, James Garner and Leonard Nimoy. PG. Cinemark.
Cats and Dogs: An inside look at pet wars at home while grown up
people are at work. Kitty (Sean Hayes, voice) has grandiose plans other critters
want to stop. Live-action comedy directed by Larry Guterman also features animatronic,
computer-generated action. PG. Opens Wed. 7/4. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Chocolat: Lasse Hallström's 2000 film stars Juliette
Binoche (best actress nom), Johnny Depp and Judi Dench (supporting actress nom).
A sexy, free spirited woman causes a scandal in a small church-going town when she
opens a chocolate shop. PG-13. Movies 12. See review.
Crocodile Dundee in L.A.: Simon Wencer directs the return
of the old Aussie fave played by Paul Hogan, with Linda Kozlowski as the love interest.
PG. Movies 12.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Ang Lee's cinematic masterpiece
and Academy Award-winning foreign film 2000, this romantic fantasy set in ancient
China involves intrigue, poison darts, a pirate of the dunes, a witch, a magic sword,
fabulous women fighters and beautiful, ballet-like martial arts that transcend gravity.
Stars Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun Fat, Zhang Ziyi and Chang Chen. Superlative! PG-13.
Movies 12. See review.
Dr. Dolittle 2: Eddie Murphy is back as the good doctor,
but the animals have changed. They've become activists who plan to go on strike to
save their forest in Steve Carr's new film. And they're hungry for sex advice. PG.
Cinemark.
Fast and The Furious, The: Undercover cop (Paul Walker)
infiltrates gang-like LA street racing teams in Rob Cohen's action-adventure that
also stars Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez (Girlfight). PG-13. Cinemark.
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within: Computer-generated human
characters live in 2065, when a meteor bearing millions of alien creatures crashes
into Earth. Only the beautiful scientist, Dr. Aki Ross, can save the planet. Directed
by Hironobu Sakaguchi. Voiced by Ming-Na, Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Ving Rhames,
Donald Sutherland and James Wood. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Forsaken: Vampire flick stars Kerr Smith and Brendan Fehr.
Directed by J.S. Cardone. R. Movies 12.
Himalaya: Beautiful adventure film shot in the high mountains
of Nepal stars courageous, talented nonactors from the Dopol region of the country.
Directed by Edward Valli, a documentary filmmaker, writer and National Geographic
photographer, it's a glimpse into a culture and people with universal values we recognize.
Highly recommended. Not rated. Bijou. See review.
Joe Dirt, The Adventures of: Comedy directed by Dennie Gordon
stars David Spader as a dunce who's on a quest to find the parents who dumped him
at the Grand Canyon when he was 8 years old. PG-13. Movies 12.
Kiss of the Dragon: Jet Li action thriller co-stars Bridget
Fonda. Directed by Chris Nahon, it's set in Paris where Li is wrongly accused of
murder, and Fonda has been forced into prostitution. R. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Knight's Tale, A: Aimed at 12-year-olds, this medieval adventure
fantasy stars Heath Ledger, Shannyn Sossamon, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell. Directed by
Brian Helgeland, co-writer of L.A. Confidential. PG-13. Movies 12.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie plays the video
game action heroine, and Simon West directs. Also stars Jon Voight and Iain Glen.
PG-13. Thursday 7/19 only. Cinemark.
Legally Blonde: Reese Witherspoon stars as Elle Woods, a
LA girl and a natural blonde, who leaves her plush digs for Harvard Law School to
persuade her reluctant boyfriend, Warner (Matthew Davis), that she's the one for
him. Directed by Robert Luketic. Also stars Selma Blair, Victor Garber, Holland Taylor,
Jennifer Coolidge and Luke Wilson. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Moulin Rouge: Director Baz Luhrmann (Strictly Ballroom,
Romeo and Juliet) sets this fabulous dramatic musical extravaganza in the
summer of love, Paris, 1899. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor make a great romantic
pair, and John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent and Richard Roxburgh are excellent players.
Everybody wants to work at the all-singing, all-dancing Moulin Rouge shows. Very
highly recommended. PG-13. Bijou. Cinemark.
Mummy Returns, The: Starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz
star in this thriller directed by Stephen Sommers. PG-13. Movies 12.
Recess: School's Out: Animated Disney film's about a plot
to create permanent winter, thus doing away with summer vacation! G. Movies 12.
Save the Last Dance for Me: Talented white girl from small
town (Julia Stiles) enrolls in an inner city high school in New York where she falls
for a popularAfrican American boy (Sean Patrick Thomas) who also loves to dance.
PG-13. Movies 12.
Scary Movie 2: The Wayans brothers return with this sequel
to last year's genre spoof, with Keenan Ivory Wayans directing brothers Marlon and
Shawn (who also wrote the script). The bros, trapped inside a haunted house, enlist
the help of James Woods, exorcist. R. Cinemark.
Score, The: This Frank Oz action movie stars Robert De Niro
as a career criminal who breaks his own rule to take a comely partner (Angela Bassett)
on a heist. Also stars Edward Norton, Marlon Brando. R. Cinemark. See review.
Shrek: Computer-animated fairy tale (by DreamWorks' Pacific
Data Images, makers of Antz) stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz
and John Lithgow. Entertaining and funny for kids and grown-ups. PG. Cinemark. Cinema
World. See
review.
Tailor of Panama, The: John Boorman's film, based on a John
le Carré novel, stars Pierce Brosnan as a bored British agent who puts the
moves on Catherine McCormack while tying his fate to a British ex-con (Geoffrey Rush)
married to Jamie Lee Curtis. Surprisingly well-done, it's highly recommended. R.
Movies 12. See
review.
With a Friend Like Harry: Dominik Moll directs this French
thriller with a fine hand for domestic suspense. Harry wiggles into the lives of
an old school chum and his family to really make summer in the countryside exciting.
Highly recommended dark comedy. R. Bijou. See review.
MOVIE
THEATERS
Use the links provided below for specific show times.
Bijou
Art Cinemas
Bijou Theater 686-2458 | 492 E. 13th
Regal
Cinemas
Cinema World 342-6536 | Valley River
Center
Springfield Quad 726-9073 |
Cinemark
Theaters
Movies 12 741-1231 | Gateway
Mall
Movies before 12:30 are Sat. Sun. only. $1.50 all shows all days.
Cinemark 17 741-1231 | Gateway Mall
NEW RELEASES
ON VIDEO:
Releases subject to change. Available the Tuesday following date of
EW publication, sometimes sooner:
Pollock: Ed Harris makes his directorial debut in this biopic about the great
American abstract expressionist painter, Jackson Pollock, played to near perfection
by Harris. Marcia Gay Harden plays his wife, painter Lee Krasner. Explosive, excellent
film. Harris nominated for his role; Harden picked up Academy Award. R. See review.
Proximity: Rob Lowe and James Coburn star in this thriller
directed by Scott Ziehl. R.
Sweet November: Pat O'Connor directs this romantic drama
about workaholic exec (Keanu Reeves) who falls in love with a unique woman (Charlize
Theron). They begin a one-month trial relationship -- no expectations, no strings
attached. PG-13.
Valentine: Strong horror and gratuitous violence in Jamie
Blanks' offering, which stars Denise Richards, David Borenaz, Marley Shelton and
Katherine Heigl. R.
Next week: The Brothers and Trumpet of the Swan.
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