| Men Of Means (2000) Cast:Michael Pare, Ray Serra, Austin Pendleton,Kaela Dobkin Michael Pare stars as a failed football star who now works as a mob enforcer, however when he tries to get out of the business things get complicated, especially that Pare has ripped off his former employer for millions and now his former employer (Serra) wants him dead. Surprisingly Men Of Means as an effective actioner, it boasts good acting and story that has more depth than usual. Men Of Means is a lot like Johnny Handsome in that it tells a story where the main character is warned that if he continues to do things the way he does them, he will die and like Johnny Handsome, Men Of Means pulls no punches with setting up the grim atmosphere and more realistic ending. Michael Pare is one of cinema's most inconsistent actors, one minute he can be good and one minute be terrible in the role but here Pare really gives a good performance. Pare remains sympathetic and surprisingly human, his sub-plot about his past which involved him being banned from College Football is handled extremely well. Indeed the scenes where Pare talks about a new life has the ironic thrust, that Pare's character will never acheive the greatness he was destined to, in that sense Men Of Means is kind of how Michael Pare's career turned out, even a good movie like this won't make him acheive the greatness he was destined for in Streets Of Fire and Eddie And The Cruisers. Still as good as Pare is, the show is ultimately stolen by Ray Serra, whom with his imposing voice steals every scene he's in. Men Of Means comes to life everytime Serra is onscreen, and it really helps the slow spots go down easier. The one flaw of the film which grinds the movie down is the useless love interest plot between Pare and Dobkin, mainly because with a story this well written, there's no need for a love sub-plot. Still it doesn't matter, minor flaws aside Men Of Means is very compelling movie, it ends on a note that it's hero sets up for himself. Films like this are refreshing because they actually take chances and give us an ending that pulls no punches. D.George Mendeluk *** |