Flawless (2007)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Michael Radford

Writer:

Edward Anderson (written by)

Release Date:

28 March 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

He had a scheme. She had a motive.

Plot:

A crime/drama set in 1960 London, where a soon to retire janitor convinces a glass-ceiling constrained American executive to help him steal a handful of diamonds from their employer, the London Diamond Corporation. |

Plot Keywords:

Diamond | Janitor | 1960s | Told In Flashback | London England

Cast

Demi Moore	...	Laura Quinn
Michael Caine	...	Mr. Hobbs
Lambert Wilson	...	Finch
Nathaniel Parker	...	Oliver 'Ollie' Ashtoncroft
Shaughan Seymour	...	Eaton
Nicholas Jones	...	Jameson
David Barras	...	Fenton
Joss Ackland	...	Sir Milton Kendrick Ashtoncroft
Silas Carson	...	Reece
Derren Nesbitt	...	Sir Clifton Sinclair
Rosalind March	...	Penelope
Kevan Willis	...	Lewis
Stanley Townsend	...	Henry
Jonathan Aris	...	J.M. Boyle
Ben Righton	...	Bryan

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language.

Runtime:

108 min | Germany:100 min (European Film Market)

Country:

UK | Luxembourg

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-7 | Singapore:PG | Argentina:13 | Ireland:PG | UK:12 (DVD rating) | UK:12A | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

France

Company:

Magnolia Pictures

Trivia:

Michael Caine's grandfather had a similar job to Hobbs.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Although the design of the chair (aluminum group designed by Charles and Ray Eames) in L. Quinn's office dates back to 1958, the base (antler) is incorrectly the modern and not the original one.

Quotes:

Mr. Hobbs: May I give you some advice, Miss Quinn?
Laura Quinn: Well, you are the one holding the gun.
Mr. Hobbs: Life is for living. It's there for the taking. Grant yourself no regrets.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2008-03-29)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

The Blue Danube Waltz

Story, Acting, & Atmosphere combine...Flawlessly!

Start with two of the most reviled yet tolerated institutions: diamond broking and large insurance underwriting. Spin a story around these heartless institutions getting their "just comeuppance". Justice is served by two very different individuals who quite remarkably find themselves in this extraordinary situation. Singularly they wield no power over such old established hallmarks, yet together they bring these "takers" to their knees.

Speaking of together, Michael Caine continues his low key return to excellent work ever since Ciderhouse Rules. He's great here and surprise...Demi Moore is spot-on in her portrayal as the brilliant, yet stepped-on lone female executive who sacrificed too much before she realized too late it was for naught. These two elevate the all ready good story to great heights.

Special mention is due to the set design. It really nails the 60's-some of which I recall and all of which looks totally appropriate. The directing is most excellent too as it builds the story slowly, never revealing too much, and allows the tension to slowly mount. The movie has a quite satisfying ending that you really couldn't figure out exactly until it too was revealed. Really a great movie, highly recommended.