Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Jeff Bridges | ... | Jimmy Berg | |
Jon Abrahams | ... | Lenny Burroughs | |
R. Lee Ermey | ... | Mr. Parker | |
Mädchen Amick | ... | Carmen | |
Morris Chestnut | ... | Ray | |
Kerri Randles | ... | Donna | |
Noah Wyle | ... | Seth | |
Henry Rollins | ... | Greg | |
Lombardo Boyar | ... | Zeke | |
Kenny Johnston | ... | Al | |
Peter Greene | ... | Rick | |
Bob Gunton | ... | Steven, Jimmy's Partner | |
Dominic Purcell | ... | Mark | |
Robert Wahlberg | ... | Arnon | |
Brian Goodman | ... | Trevor |
Lenny Burroughs is a struggling auto mechanic who serves as part-time driver for local gangster Rick in order to earn enough to buy his own garage and pay for his upcoming marriage. Unbeknownst to Lenny, his assignment includes kidnapping Jimmy Berg, an important gang kingpin who has robbed rival criminal Trevor Morrison of over $7 million dollars and killed three of his men including the son of Morrison's partner. The plan is for Morrison to trade Berg back to his partner, Steve Wayne, in exchange for the return of his money, a million dollar indemnity, and a percentage of union municipal contracts which are very profitable for the politically savvy Wayne. However, something goes wrong. Rick contradicts Trevor's plans and seems to be following the agenda of an unknown third party by ordering Lenny to a side street instead of the agreed-upon location. When he leaves the van, he's immediately run down by Wayne's men, who execute him gangland style. Fearing he'll be killed too, Lenny ... Written by duke1029@aol.com
So what struck me the most about this film is the early morning light that was present throughout. It has that relaxing start-of-the-day feeling that compliments the low-key pace of the story and lack of action in what could have been a pretty brutal film. All the colors are muted as well, the sound track stays in the background, costumes are first-rate, interiors are high-end but restrained, and there are few wild interactions between any of the characters. Moderation in all things, suggesting a reality not based on everyday lives, but of a set of people operating in a parallel world not connected to our own.
Then there's the story. At several points, the Universe screams to a character to just walk away from all this and you'll be fine. The longer you stay the more trouble you're getting in to. It's "don't go down the basement," and what do they do? They go down the basement, of course (in the figurative sense). The ending? That is to say, That's it? The only thing the ending added was a change in style. For the first time, we saw a bright, sunny day with shadows and washed-out colors, perhaps to suggest going back to the normal world. But the actual ending. Gosh, there could have been so much more.
Good acting, good production, but the resolution is for the birds. When the main plot problem is resolved, and you'll know when it is, you can stop watching.