Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

Directed by: Paul McGuigan | 108 minutes | action, thriller | Actors: Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Lucy Liu, Stanley Tucci, Ben Kingsley, Kevin Chamberlin, Oliver Davis, Victoria Fodor, Sam Jaeger, Dorian Missick, Sebastien Roberts, Michael Rubenfeld, Corey Stoll, Rick Bramucci, John Ghaly, Janet Lane, Shira Leigh, Matthew G. Taylor

Expectations are high in advance for a film with star actors such as Morgan Freeman, Ben Kingsley and Bruce Willis. A large number of films, including ‘Ocean’s Twelve’, have proven that this is not always correct in recent years. Although ‘Lucky Number Slevin’ was not taken in hand by a director of Soderbergh’s caliber, but by Paul McGuigan, who is still relatively unknown to the general public, you hope for quality with a cast like this. Unfortunately, McGuigan failed to deliver a surprise.

Admittedly, the film looks slick overall. The camera work looks neat and at times spectacular, just like the editing. The soundtrack sounds above average and the dialogue is sharp and shows a talent for writing. In addition, there are a number of strong characters in the film, as well as a good number of comedic moments.

The weak points, however, are in the role of Josh Hartnett, who certainly does not act badly, but simply does not seem credible in his role of bad guy with a small heart and his co-star Lucy Liu, who after films like ‘Charlie’s Angels’ and ‘Kill Bill: Vol. 1’ is difficult to take seriously as a lovely woman who, in addition to her work as a coroner, likes to take on the role of amateur detective. Ben Kingsley doesn’t come across as a rabbi who won’t turn a blind eye to having someone killed. Bruce Willis – despite the repertoire of action films in which he has played – does not seem credible as a notorious hitman and even Morgan Freeman seems to be cast incorrectly this time.

However, this does not alter the fact that ‘Lucky Number Slevin’ is definitely worth your while for those who feast on these absurd but generally comic characters, the slickness of a major Hollywood production and an abundance of plot twists. Those who prefer surprising films, on the other hand, can certainly spend these 108 minutes more usefully.