Flawless (2007)
Another jewel heist film, where Michael Caine as a lovable old janitor masterminds a two- person plan. His partner in crime? Demi Moore, playing a woman who has hit the glass ceiling in the 1960 London business world. The two are working at Britain's biggest diamond merchant, a dirty, white male company with a vault the size of God (though easier to understand).
Of course, the plan is clever, close calls abound, doubts and double-crossings are timely, and glitter is everywhere. It's a fun period piece and completely enjoyable. You might say the movie is flawless if you remember its ambitions are low--it's a perfect average film, or something like that. Caine is spot on, but isn't he always a terrific Michael Caine? You can't go wrong there. And Moore is steady and consistent, the way Moore is, I guess. Nothing to write home about.
Twists? Yeah, one or two you half expect. Caine and Moore don't have sex, which is a twist of its own. Let's see. Oh, yes, Caine pulls a trick or two on Moore, who is really the dupe through it all. Come to think of it, she doesn't show too many facets as a brilliant young woman, does she? So much for feminism.
And the film does have one big flaw, after all, in the setting, not the stone. It begins and ends with a very 21st Century cocky young woman rudely interviewing an elderly Moore character, and the feminist patter is like water on a small fire. The first time, we cut to Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" and the movie is off and running with a lot of style and confidence. The second time we moan as it gets improbable and silly. Between these parentheses, director Michael Radford pulls off some lighthearted fun. Which last night was all I needed.
Another jewel heist film, where Michael Caine as a lovable old janitor masterminds a two- person plan. His partner in crime? Demi Moore, playing a woman who has hit the glass ceiling in the 1960 London business world. The two are working at Britain's biggest diamond merchant, a dirty, white male company with a vault the size of God (though easier to understand).
Of course, the plan is clever, close calls abound, doubts and double-crossings are timely, and glitter is everywhere. It's a fun period piece and completely enjoyable. You might say the movie is flawless if you remember its ambitions are low--it's a perfect average film, or something like that. Caine is spot on, but isn't he always a terrific Michael Caine? You can't go wrong there. And Moore is steady and consistent, the way Moore is, I guess. Nothing to write home about.
Twists? Yeah, one or two you half expect. Caine and Moore don't have sex, which is a twist of its own. Let's see. Oh, yes, Caine pulls a trick or two on Moore, who is really the dupe through it all. Come to think of it, she doesn't show too many facets as a brilliant young woman, does she? So much for feminism.
And the film does have one big flaw, after all, in the setting, not the stone. It begins and ends with a very 21st Century cocky young woman rudely interviewing an elderly Moore character, and the feminist patter is like water on a small fire. The first time, we cut to Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" and the movie is off and running with a lot of style and confidence. The second time we moan as it gets improbable and silly. Between these parentheses, director Michael Radford pulls off some lighthearted fun. Which last night was all I needed.