RocknRolla
2008
*
Most of the reviews were pretty brutal on this movie but on this one I have to say #%@& the reviewers. This review was resonably kind.
Like I usually say, Watch it for yourself and make you own mind up. I think it is good fun. Thandie Newton is also a real stunner in this flick. Enjoy.
*
Review
Guy Ritchie returns to seedy London
"RocknRolla" is a return to form for British director Guy Ritchie. After negative reactions to "Swept Away" and tepid reviews for the overcomplicated "Revolver," "RocknRolla" is just plain fun.
While I was left indifferent to "Swept Away," I really enjoyed "Revolver" due to its strange approach, but even I had to admit Ritchie crowbared his philosophy into the storyline. "RocknRolla" just proves that Ritchie should stick to dumb fun because "RocknRolla" excels in this category.
Perhaps dumb is not the right descriptor, though; Ritchie weaves numerous storylines into this one again, yet this time nothing seems forced. Perhaps, the dumb comes in the action we observe. While "Revolver" was deadly serious, "RocknRolla" is comical.
A group of thugs named The Wild Bunch are hired by an accountant (Thandie Newton) to rob a billionaire Russian (Karel Roden). This money is for Lenny Cole (Tom Wilkinson), London's underground boss. Lenny has all of the city's officials in his pocket, forcing the Russian to work with him in order to build a stadium. To cement this partnership, the Russian offers Lenny his favorite painting to hold on to until the deal is complete. The painting is then stolen from Lenny's house by his crack-addicted stepson, Johnny Quid, a famous rockstar (thus the film's title) and also presumed to be dead after a boating accident.
Meanwhile, the Wild Bunch, which consist of One-Two (Gerard Butler), Mumbles (Idris Elba) and Handsome Bob (Tom Hardy) have willingly taken part of the accountant's plans in order to pay Lenny, who they owe for a real estate scam. From here, you can see that each story overlaps in some strange and extravagant way.
This is how Ritchie has always worked, weaving together a bunch of stories together in interesting ways. His best work, though, comes when he is doing it in a fun way. While "RocknRolla" is not on the level of "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," arguably his best film, or even "Snatch" for that matter, it is still a very enjoyable film.
All of the actors are charismatic, including drug-addled Johnny Quid, whose annoying character cannot hide Toby Kebbell's likability.
"RocknRolla's" biggest flaw, though, is that Ritchie has too many stories. His best characters are the Wild Bunch, but this isn't even their film; Ritchie sacrifices them for the other characters, which is understandable considering the numerous storylines. Yet, even "Lock, Stock," has the four friends and "Snatch" has Handsome Rob and Tommy. These characters work as the larger gears that turn the story; "RocknRolla" lacks these pivots to turn on.
That said, it is still a fun little romp in England's seedier side and great to see Ritchie return to the fundamentals.
Written by: Manny Carrasco
2008
*
Most of the reviews were pretty brutal on this movie but on this one I have to say #%@& the reviewers. This review was resonably kind.
Like I usually say, Watch it for yourself and make you own mind up. I think it is good fun. Thandie Newton is also a real stunner in this flick. Enjoy.
*
Review
Guy Ritchie returns to seedy London
"RocknRolla" is a return to form for British director Guy Ritchie. After negative reactions to "Swept Away" and tepid reviews for the overcomplicated "Revolver," "RocknRolla" is just plain fun.
While I was left indifferent to "Swept Away," I really enjoyed "Revolver" due to its strange approach, but even I had to admit Ritchie crowbared his philosophy into the storyline. "RocknRolla" just proves that Ritchie should stick to dumb fun because "RocknRolla" excels in this category.
Perhaps dumb is not the right descriptor, though; Ritchie weaves numerous storylines into this one again, yet this time nothing seems forced. Perhaps, the dumb comes in the action we observe. While "Revolver" was deadly serious, "RocknRolla" is comical.
A group of thugs named The Wild Bunch are hired by an accountant (Thandie Newton) to rob a billionaire Russian (Karel Roden). This money is for Lenny Cole (Tom Wilkinson), London's underground boss. Lenny has all of the city's officials in his pocket, forcing the Russian to work with him in order to build a stadium. To cement this partnership, the Russian offers Lenny his favorite painting to hold on to until the deal is complete. The painting is then stolen from Lenny's house by his crack-addicted stepson, Johnny Quid, a famous rockstar (thus the film's title) and also presumed to be dead after a boating accident.
Meanwhile, the Wild Bunch, which consist of One-Two (Gerard Butler), Mumbles (Idris Elba) and Handsome Bob (Tom Hardy) have willingly taken part of the accountant's plans in order to pay Lenny, who they owe for a real estate scam. From here, you can see that each story overlaps in some strange and extravagant way.
This is how Ritchie has always worked, weaving together a bunch of stories together in interesting ways. His best work, though, comes when he is doing it in a fun way. While "RocknRolla" is not on the level of "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," arguably his best film, or even "Snatch" for that matter, it is still a very enjoyable film.
All of the actors are charismatic, including drug-addled Johnny Quid, whose annoying character cannot hide Toby Kebbell's likability.
"RocknRolla's" biggest flaw, though, is that Ritchie has too many stories. His best characters are the Wild Bunch, but this isn't even their film; Ritchie sacrifices them for the other characters, which is understandable considering the numerous storylines. Yet, even "Lock, Stock," has the four friends and "Snatch" has Handsome Rob and Tommy. These characters work as the larger gears that turn the story; "RocknRolla" lacks these pivots to turn on.
That said, it is still a fun little romp in England's seedier side and great to see Ritchie return to the fundamentals.
Written by: Manny Carrasco
*
2 comments:
Great to see another fan of this great film
f#ck the critics
If you arereading this and haven't seen it, go for it, it is great
vita
Have you seen "Clubbed"? Another great brit flick.
T
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