| Written by Jan James Stetter, on 23-04-2007 03:12 |
Media Maven: "The Lookout" Movie Review
The Cincy Chic Media Maven, Jan Stetter, reviews "The Lookout." Learn why this movie serves as a pivotal rite of passage for one young actor, and an eye opening portrayal of how bad things can happen to good people.
"The Lookout"
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jeff Daniels. Matthew Goode, Isla Fischer
"The Lookout" is the most recent work from Joseph Gordon-Levitt. You
may remember him as Tommy Solomon in the comedy TV series, "Third Rock
From The Sun." We saw Joseph Gordon-Levitt grow up before our eyes as
the youngest member of an alien family amidst a talented cast of
actors. He accumulated unparallel skill in comedic timing, pratfalls
and improvisation.
In a completely different venue, Joseph Gordon-Levitt brings that same
tenacity and commitment to this role as a bewildered, brain-impaired
young man coming to terms with his life. Once a high school star
athlete, from a well-to-do family, destined for greatness, Joseph plays
Chris Pratt, a lost soul, whose life is dictated by a little pocket
notebook that reminds him daily to shower, report to his rehabilitation
program and then on to his job as a janitor in a bank.
Chris Pratt is the underdog we root for. He's a true example of how bad
things happen to good people. And we understand this. We don’t pity
him, but we do want him to succeed. Chris is placed in a housing
program living with an older blind man. Jeff Daniels plays Chris’
confidante, friend and mutual protector. Known only as Lewis, Daniels
brings a steadiness to the erratic behaviors and frustration of Chris’
character.
Not only do bad things happen to good people. Bad people take advantage
of good people. Enter, Matthew Goode as a former classmate of Chris’
older sister. He befriends Chris and hooks him up with Isla Fisher’s
character, Luvlee. Chris finally feels part of a group of people from
his high school days.
It is while deeply involved/ensconced in a bank robbery that Chris
realizes his circle of “friends” was really a devious way to trick him
into being a lookout for a planned bank heist.
What this film has in its actors’ abilities to tell a chilling story is
matched most exceedingly by the taunt script and raw, icy portrayals of
people without consciences. This film marks a pivotal rite of passage
for the young Joseph Gordon-Levitt. It marks a beguiling movie for
anyone who’s looking for a good story.
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