Verdict: A fascinating time-travel premise combined with a
top cast results in a compelling drama about honour, integrity and responsibility.
Boasting a truly
fascinating time-travel premise, a top-notch cast and a wicked (if not entirely
unexpected) sting in its tale, Looper is marvellously involving cinema from the little-known Johnson (Brick). In a year where many of the cinematic offerings
have been variations on well-worn themes, the threads of a heightened moral
responsibility for the integrity of the lives we lead (and those of the people
who rely on us for their very survival) that are woven through this film, are
never less than utterly compelling.
It is 2044. Joe (the
always excellent Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a ‘Looper’ – ruthless individuals
responsible for dispatching undesirables who have been sent back in time
from the future (2074 to be exact). Each person sent back in time to be
mercilessly accounted for arrives blindfolded and with valuable silver bullion
strapped their backs, the pay the Loopers receive for carrying out their
mercenary responsibilities. But when Joe’s older self (Bruce Willis) is sent
back for extermination, the rules of the game are changed forever.
It’s impossible to
describe too much more of Johnson’s marvellous plot devices without ruining the
extent to which lovers of fine films of the action/drama/thriller genre will be
more than prepared to go along for the ride – and be handsomely rewarded for
their patience.
Johnson elicits an
extraordinary performance from young Pierce Gagnon as Cid, the son of Sara
(Emily Blunt) who is being hunted to ensure he doesn’t grow up to become
something of a murderous despot. The scene where the blood-stained face of the
hunted child is revealed in the depths of Sara’s withered cornfield is as
haunting as they come. The almost unrecognisable Blunt (The Five-Year Engagement, Wild Target), finally gets a multi-layered role she can really
sink her teeth into, and like her co-stars (including Ruby Sparks’
Paul Dano and Jeff Daniels), rises to the occasion in excellent form.
Willis, whose grieving
character is saddled with some of the film’s more ruthless undertakings is an
interesting foil for Gordon-Levitt (The Dark Knight Rises, Inception), but it is Gordon-Levitt who walks away with the acting honours in
the same way that Robert de Niro (who he more than eerily resembles at times)
does. It’s an outstanding, un-showy, understated performance of great emotional
intelligence.
This review was commissioned by the Geraldton Newspaper Group.
This review was commissioned by the Geraldton Newspaper Group.
Everybody’s good, the writing is top-notch, and the direction kept me on the edge of my seat, but there was a human element that just didn’t come around full-circle for me. I really liked this movie, but I didn’t love it and that’s a bit disappointing considering all of the hype. Good review Geoffrey.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dan. I must have missed the hype. I watched the trailer and thought it was very ho-hum. In fact, the only reason I went to review this film was because I couldn't stand the thought of sitting through "The Watch". My expectations were very low – and that is always a good thing. I agree with you about the starkness of the emotional layers, but the scene I reference in my review (the child in the cornfield) hit me really hard. The murdering of the children was an incredibly difficult concept – and Willis was great dealing with it. But yes, ultimately there were layers missing that maybe a more experienced director might have been able to tap into. Still, I think it's a very strong piece of work and I look forward to watching this director's future projects.
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