Revolver

Director: Guy Ritchie

Starring: Jason Statham, Mark Strong, Ray Liotta

Genre: Psychological drama, awesome.

Year: 2005

Running Time: about 2 hours.

Plot synopsis: Jason Statham finds himself trapped in a masterful plot set up by his greatest enemy.

Review: Okay…this is the film for which I’m willing to stick my neck out and die for. Maybe…just maybe…the best film ever made. Alright, some of you just left the site after that. And I understand that this isn’t the most popular film ever; and I think a lot of that has to do with people thinking this was going to be Snatch 2. And it’s definitely not. It’s methodically paced, gorgeously shot, soaked in psychological symbolism, and might have one of the deepest scripts ever written. Not necessarily in a ‘Whoa! That was a crazy twist!’ way; but in the underlying themes and ideas this piece of art evokes. It really plays much more like a book, then a movie. I watched it for a second time just a few months ago, and I have not been able to stop thinking about it. If you take it for what it is, and not for what Guy Ritchie has done in the past, it really has the possibility to change your life.

Watch for:

• Mark Strong as the introverted hitman. One of the best actor’s I’ve ever seen, and one of the coolest characters written in a long time.
• someone actually giving Jason Statham a chance to show his acting chops, rather than just his jawline. Both of which I am very jealous of.
• Jason Statham with hair! (Man! I’m jealous of that, too.)
• Ritchie stepping out on some limbs artistically, to get some symbolism across.
• seeing how anime can be useful.
• an unfortunate performance by Andre Benjamin…like, the only bad thing about this film
• Ray Liotta turning in probably his best performance since Goodfellas.

Film or Movie: Film.

Change the World Factor: Alright, I’ve already given enough hyperbole about this film, but absolutely yes.

Buy It: Yes. Needs at least three or four watches I’m imagining, to pick up on everything going on underneath the surface.

Rent It: impossible. Only buy. 😉

‘I don’t know what to do with my hands.’
Karl.

(This man may be the most talented actor working in film today. He was brilliant in both this and Rocknrolla, and is now finally getting some well-deserved recognition after Body of Lies, Sherlock Holmes, and now the new Robin Hood. He’ll win an Oscar within the next couple years. Even though I think the Oscars nominees are chosen according to their individual Sunday night commercial demographic pull. 😉 )