The Score (2001, DVD)

As far as I am concerned, anything done by Steve Buscemi, Forrest Whittaker or Edward Norton is well done. Okay, so Buscemi disappointed me with Armageddon, and Whittaker with Battlefield Earth, but Norton hasn't disappointed yet. I found The Score to be no exception, although really, it is DeNiros movie, all the way. Directed by Frank Oz (a.k.a., the one time voice of Miss Piggy), I class this movie as suspense more than as 'action', although that is how it appears to be being marketed.

THE SET UP

This is the story of three men at various stages of their criminal careers. Max, (Marlon Brando) is a high end fence with mob connections. He lives the good life (including lots of good meals, no doubt), and wants to keep living it. He needs one big score to settle his debts with the mob, establish a comfy nest egg and live in peace with his pastries and indoor pool.

Nick (Robert DeNiro) is a man with a double life. He owns a successful Montreal jazz club, has excellent taste and a gorgeous girlfriend, Diane (Angela Bassett). Nick wants to settle down with Diane, but she won't have him unless he gives up crime. He wants one last big score to pay off the mortgage on his club and settle down in style with his lover.

The third man, Jack/Brian, also lives a double life. While his personal life or motivations are not explored, in addition to being a wannabe bigtime crook, Jack lives his public life as 'Brian', a mentally retarded janitor who works at the Montreal Customs House. He took this job in order to set up his first big score, but he needs DeNiro to help actually carry out the crime.

THE CRIME

A priceless French artifact, The Sceptre has been smuggled out of France, and into the Montreal Customs House. There, the authorities accidentally discover it before Norton, apparently one of the smugglers, has a chance to recover it. Put under heavy guard until the Canadian authorities discover what it is and what to do with it, Norton has only a limited time to get it out of the Customs House. He involves Brando, the fence, who involves DeNiro, the thief. Initially reluctant to become involved because he always works alone, doesn't trust Norton and never commits crimes in his hometown, DeNiro is eventually seduced by the big payoff. His cut alone would be six million dollars (whether this is Canadian or American dollars, they don't say).

Eventually, the crime is committed, but things all turn out in ways none of the characters expected.

THINGS I LIKED

I thought the acting was top notch. Brando, who had the least screen time of the three, was very laid back, with the "I've Seen It All", careless air many older men who are past masters in their chosen profession carry. When confronted with his financial difficulties, he manages to convey an air of pathos without being pathetic. Since Brando is seen so little these days, and has become so large, many people dismiss him as a has been. His calm casually nuanced acting in this film proves them wrong in my eyes. While his appearance may have changed, he is still the careful master craftsman of his art that he has always been.

Norton does, as always, a superb and intense job. His portrayal of a character the exact opposite of Brando, a young, brash, more bravado than brains "Know it All" young man is right on the mark. I went to see this movie mainly for Norton, and he did not let me down. His ability to be a 'good guy gone bad' as in Fight Club or even Primal Fear, or a 'bad guy gone good' as in American History X (or again, Primal Fear) works for him in this movie as well. You never know what to expect from a Norton character, and the twists and turns of this character, Jackie/Brian, work very well.

DeNiro, however, stole the film. His world weary cynicism and disdain for Norton, the man he probably once was himself, come across not only through his words, but through his gestures and actions. DeNiro really is a genius, just shaking his head and pursing his lips conveys a world of meaning. Except in scenes specifically involving crime, he comes across as "everymiddleagedman"; tired, jaded and ready to move on. He has no patience for the bumbling and arrogance of a beginner. He steals every single scene he is in.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE QUITE SO MUCH

The movie was very slow. I felt the pacing was a bit drawn out. Things could have moved a tad quicker, and I would have liked to have seen a bit more of both Nortons and Brandos motivations and background. Some of the plot devices seemed unrealistic. At two points in the film, DeNiro, the character who will only work alone, and who never takes risks, involves outsiders while seeking information. One of these outsiders is a young computer hacker (he still lives with his Mom) with whom he has worked before. The other outsider, however, is an executive for the security company which protects the Customs House. This seemed to me like an unnecessary risk DeNiros character just would not take. These were just minor quibbles, however...

OVERALL...

...I really enjoyed this movie. For myself, I give it five stars. It was an action movie where the action was mental more so than in traditional action films. There was very little actual violence (whether because this was a 'thinking' movie, because it was set in Canada, a non-violent country, or both, I am not sure). There was very little in the way of gunplay (guns were brandished, but no one was shot), death (zero corpses), car chases (there was one scene where Norton ran to the bus station, and DeNiro drove to the airport) or death defying (almost everyone threatened with violence caved). DeNiro provided most of the actual action, prowling through sewers and breaking into safes, but that was about it. People looking for real 'action' may not like this movie. I saw this with my husband and Mom who adore fast paced shoot'em up action movies, and they were somewhat bored by this movie. I deplore fast paced shoot'em up action in general, and I loved it.


So, I give it four stars; five for myself, and I deduct one for action movie fans who would like a bit more action in their action movies.