Caffeinated Clint
While writing some of the more inventive screenplays to come out of Hollywood in recent years (“Dead Again”, “Get Shorty”, “Minority Report”, “Out of Sight”, “Little Man Tate”) Scott Frank has avoided the director’s chair, instead, comfortably working with industry giants like Steven Spielberg, Sydney Pollack and Steven Soderbergh.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jeff Daniels, Matthew Goode, Isla Fisher, Carla Gugino, Bruce McGill, Alberta Watson, Greg Dunham
While writing some of the more inventive screenplays to come out of Hollywood in recent years (“Dead Again”, “Get Shorty”, “Minority Report”, “Out of Sight”, “Little Man Tate”) Scott Frank has avoided the director’s chair, instead, comfortably working with industry giants like Steven Spielberg, Sydney Pollack and Steven Soderbergh. However, it was.after re-working “The Lookout” for two different directors that he decided he “was too comfortable” and that it was time for his directorial debut. It was a choice well made.
In “The Lookout” Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“Mysterious Skin”, “Brick”) plays Chris Pratt, a victim of a brain injury sustained in a car crash caused by his own reckless actions—a night scene beautifully played out at the beginning of the film until we are suddenly jolted by the freakish accident. Four years later Chris looks fine, even drives a car. But he can’t remember things that we all take for granted, like how to find a can opener or make change. He’s frustrated with his low paying job as a bank janitor and lonely for some female attention. So when Gary (Matthew Goode) befriends him and Gary’s friend Luvlee (Isla Fisher) comes on to him, he willingly falls into their seduction even though they’re using him to rob the bank. By the time he realizes his mistake all Hell breaks loose and only he can make it right.
Frank fills “The Lookout” with just enough twists and turns to keep you guessing about its conclusion. Jeff Daniels steals scenes as Chris’ blind and incorrigibly cheerful roommate. But it is Gordon-Levitt’s aching performance, perhaps the best of his career, that holds our attention in this edgy thriller.
DVD extras include a Commentary by the director (quite insightful – look forward to more of this guy’s work, not to mention commentary tracks!) and by the director of photography; a making-of (pretty standard) and another featurette on the flick. Not bursting at the seams with extras, but still worthwhile what is on there.
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Reviewer : Tim Basham
