The Score

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The Score

The Score is an above average heist movie focused on a master thief (Robert DeNiro) who accepts a job which forces him to take on a partner (Edward Norton) and break all of his own rules of doing business for the possibility of a big payoff. Both of the leads are very convincing in their roles, particularly Edward Norton, who really plays two completely different roles here. Bringing them together is Max, well played by Marlon Brando, in what can be considered a cameo role. Once the caper begins, the tension builds steadily and the plot twists begin, leading to a very satisfying climax. The jazz-inspired score fits the movie well and is reminiscent of those from the great 70's caper flicks. The film's only flaw is the slow-moving romantic-interest plot, which really isn't necessary anyway. It would have been more effective the filmmakers had focused more on the planning and execution of the heist in even more detail and found another way to frame the film (perhaps using the Brando character), but all in all this is a very good Heist movie with a rich payoff ending. It is a fabulous looking movie as well, with noir-ish, rich, dark tones. An old fashioned caper, carefully made, this is what going to the movies is all about, or should be.

Now undoubtedly Edward Norton is a strong lead and character actor, but he and DeNiro with the support of Marlon Brando, score big-time in this tale of thievery. I was kind o shocked at Norton playing a handy-capped young man in this as well as he pulled it off. He just stole the show in the midst of the plot too! It was a treat to see Brando and DeNiro sitting talking it out at the bar in the middle of town. The story was an exciting setting-up of a heist that these men are all about. This is their line. On top of the style of the story overall I loved the fact that DeNiro's character owned a jazz lounge club and had a townhouse above it. That would be my favorite type of living arrangement. The deception that Norton's man brought was building for a long time at his job and he being the inside man was looking at being recognized the fastest and overall he was the one that worked in the company not the other men in his crew. So he was the one with his neck on the chopping block if authorities put two and two together. This is a great story that has style and a sharp twist together. I would say, you don't even have to love Edward Norton's work or DeNiro or Brando, for this to be a nice addition to any home collection. Recommended Highly (*****)

There really is nothing wrong with "The Score", though, for that matter, there really isn't a lot right about it either. Considering that the film is Marlon Brando's last and it also stars Robert De Niro and Edward Norton, I would have expected some magic. Instead, it's a mildly entertaining heist film. It also has a performance by Norton that is bound to offend many. Nick Wells (De Niro) is an aging thief who wants one final score before he gets out of the business. His bizarre buddy, Max (Brando) contacts him about a great heist--a jewel-encrusted golden scepter. However, Nick will have to have a cocky (and annoying)young partner, Jack (Norton)--and Nick is obviously not happy working with the guy. As for Jack, he's a guy who thinks long term. He took his present job some time back in order to infiltrate the place. And, since being hired, he has behaved as if he has cerebral palsy in order to convince everyone he's harmless. Little do his co-workers know that it's all a brilliant (and politically incorrect) disguise. To me, the film never piqued my interest and never made my pulse change a single tick. Some of this might have been due to Brando's weak performance, a bit of irritation about Norton behaving as if he's mentally challenged and a very ordinary plot. All I know is that I didn't hate it nor did I like it.

The Score is a movie that holds many elements together that makes is a highly watchable and ultimately suspensful crime movie. These elements are the cast, which has 3 of the finest American actors to ever grace the screen- Robert DeNiro, Edward Norton, and Don Vito Corleone himself, Marlon Brando. Also though another elements is from director Frank Oz, who is a household name (at least for me) by being a muppeteer since 1963 and has also directed some hits (Bowfinger, What About Bob) and misses (In and Out, Stepsitter). Now he tackles his first crime drama, and he does it exceptionally well in holding the suspense in a way that will hold it all together, unlike some thrillers that always pop up suspense and by the time the end comes your tired out from it all. While The Score holds a couple of things also that keep it from greatness (Angela Basset's character isn't really needed for DeNiro's motivations and also the trailer revealed too much of the movie so that the movie had to try extra hard to be thrilling), it also holds controlled and outstanding performances and crackerjack suspense throughout. One of the few real must-see movies of the summer. A