| The Score |
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| Rating: Good Distributor: Paramount Pictures MPAA Rating: R Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Drama, Heists Running Length: 2 hours Release Date: July 13th, 2001 (wide) Director: Frank Oz Cast: Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Angela Bassett, and Marlon Brando. |
| Picture above from www.thescoremovie.com |
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| Plot: A seasoned thief (Robert De Niro) decides he wants to retire and dedicate his life to legal endeavors. His decision is influenced heavily by his girlfriend (Angela Bassett), and his need to make her happier. He has also grown tired of his rogue lifestyle. However, he decides to do one last job. His boss (Marlon Brando) partners him with a young thief (Edward Norton) for a job to steal a scepter. The young thief does a lot of the researching and gives a lot of outside aid, while the older thief specializes in getting inside and cracking the safe. Not everything goes as planned, and in turns out the job may be an economic neccesity for their boss. |
| Critique: The Score is a jazzy, sassy, well directed, entertaining film. Frank Oz decides to operate in a genre that he isn't as familiar with, but succeeds very well. The film is masterfully paced. It goes slowly, and steadily for most of its duration, but builds effectively to a speedy climax. Also, the tension and suspense are all very polished. The screenplay isn't always terribly intelligent, but there are some frequent bouts of warmth, and genuine feeling. Also, the twists and turns were pleasing, even if sometimes predictable. The film succeeds when it focuses on Robert De Niro's character, for which it has some nice details. They could have given him a little more texture, but for the most part there is indeed depth to his character. The other characters could have especially been given some added strength. I would propose to give the characters more history, so that their motives would be better explained. Still, their characters are helped a lot by the terrific acting. Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Angela Bassett, and Marlon Brando are all considered to be very talented people. They all operate at the highest level, thus living up to their extraordinary expectations. They provide a lot of extra depth to their characters where the writing has left little or not enough information. Edward Norton's character is given the least background information for his screen time, but Norton makes up for it with his acting chops, his reactions, mannerisms, expressions, etc. The Score is a consistently enjoyable motion picture. Its flaws are eclipsed by astonishing acting, and excellent direction. The music and cinematography help the director in creating a classy little mood. It helps us forgive the film's conventional qualities. Like many films, the mood helps The Score feel different when it has a lot of familiar characteristics and plot points. The film knows when to be restrained, and when to be explosive. The only mistake in speed that The Score makes might be in the way it finishes. After the final twists and turns have been implemented the film draws itself back a little too quickly and too far. The picture is an enjoyable, well made, tremendously well acted piece of entertainment and art. It has flaws, sure, but it's still a strong caper flick, a very recommendable film. review by supernothingman |