Blyss's Movie Review for:

Main Cast of Characters:

Giovanni Ribisi.........Seth Davis

Ben Affleck..........Jim Young

Nicky Katt.........Greg Weinstein

Vin Diesel..........Chris Varick

Jamie Kennedy...........Adam

Nia Long..........Abby Halpert

Scott Caan...........Richie O'Flaherty

2000. Rated: R; Genre: Suspense, Drama; 120 minutes

Is the perfect job always so perfect?

Seth Davis, a small time college guy who runs a casino out of his apartment, thinks he has hit the bigtime. On a night when he is so unpopular with his parents, he gets a job offer from Greg, a senior closer at the J.T. Marlin Corporation to become a closer. Seth accepts which makes his father temporarily happy. But Seth's road is not without bumps. He thinks he is going in and is going to be marketing and closing like it is on Wall Street. Jim Young brings him and others into a room and screams at them about how to be closers. He releases the guys that are already brokers and the one guy who is rude to another. He stresses that co-workers should always be treated with respect. He also promises them that they will make their first million in the first three years they are there. The job sounds too good to be true. The first three months, the new closers only make $150.00 a week and the senior closers get to close their accounts. Once the rookies pass a Series 7 exam and open 40 accounts, they are allowed to become a regular closer like everyone else and can close their own accounts. Seth and his father later get into a fight again because he thinks Seth makes him look bad by running a small casino out of his apartment because he is a judge. Seth refuses to close it and leaves. Seth also has run-ins with Greg in the company because Seth and Greg's ex-girlfriend Abbie start dating. He warns Seth to stay away from her. Seth starts making money and gets really good at gaining accounts. The job is so great that Seth feels like he is in a dream. But his dream is about to turn into a nightmare......

This was a mildly intense suspense film that kept me interested. I guess I am interested because I am in a legal profession and I am very familliar with the language and terms used in this film such as "closer" "leads" "client". There are a lot of sharks in this kind of business that Seth was in and I can totally relate to that. Greg seemed to be a major shark as well as Jim Young. However, even though he was a bit of a smart alec to begin with, Chris, portrayed by Vin Diesel, seemed to be the only person at J.T. Marlin who was really interested in helping Seth. Seth also tries to repay him for that kindness later.

My favorite parts of the film were towards the end when Abbie and Seth learn that the practices within J.T. Marlin are not totally legal. The honesty and the integrity are put back into the business as they try to make right what has been wronged. Also, the bond of family love is restored between a father and son before the end of the film. Suspenseful yet heartwarming at almost the same time.

Overall, this movie kept me interested not only with the story but also with the characters and the actors that were chosen to portray them. Scott Caan, as a hothead closer who is always ready for a fight. Greg, a jealous ex-boyfriend and Seth's best friend and worst enemy at the same time. Chris, a man with a rough edge but one that does have a caring streak within him. Most of all, Seth. Seth is just your typical easy-going guy who gets in over his head at the request of his father somewhat. The tension was at a good level and was not overdone. This is definitely a once-in-a-while movie.

I rate this movie: 7

Blyss