Life of Crime *** (2013, Jennifer Aniston, Tim Robbins, Isla Fisher, Mos Def) – Movie Review

Crafty Detroit common criminals Louis Gara (John Hawkes) and Ordell Robbie (Mos Def) get more than they bargain for when they kidnap Mickey Dawson (Jennifer Aniston), the wife of corrupt real-estate developer Frank Dawson (Tim Robbins). Unfortunately, he shows no interest in paying the $1million ransom they demand for her safe return as he has other fish to fry in Melanie (Isla Fisher), his gold-digging mistress.

Director Daniel Schechter writes the nifty screenplay, adapting Elmore Leonard’s 1978 novel The Switch. Schechter gets Leonard’s low-life atmosphere and sleazy B-movie tone just right. The acting’s good throughout, with a notable and useful change of pace for top-billed Aniston, who again proves she’s a good actor outside of sitcom and romcom. Robbins is effectively creepy as her slimy hubby and Fisher shows her skills as the semi-smart tart. Will Forte and Mark Boone Junior also star.

First shown to acclaim at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, the film swaps colourful characters and characterful situation and dialogue for pace, excitement and film noir thrills. It’s a fair tradeoff.

Elmore Leonard died on August 20 2013, aged 87.

The characters of Louis Gara and Ordell Robbie first appeared in Leonard’s novel 1978 The Switch but were revived for his 1992 novel Rum Punch, which was adapted into the film Jackie Brown (1997) by director Quentin Tarantino. Robert De Niro and Samuel L. Jackson play Louis Gara and Ordell Robbie. Presumably just by chance, The Switch is also the title of Aniston’s 2010 romantic comedy with Jason Bateman.

http://derekwinnert.com/jackie-brown-classic-film-review-366/

http://derekwinnert.com/touch-1997-christopher-walken-bridget-fonda-skeet-ulrich-tom-arnold-classic-movie-review-1324/

http://derekwinnert.com/get-shorty-classic-film-review-368/

Though 1995’s Get Shorty was a breakthrough success, Jackie Brown and Touch remain the best adaptations of Elmore Leonard’s novel.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Movie Review

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