The Score


2.5/4

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Edward Norton, Marlon Brando, Angela Bassett

Rated R for Language

With a cast like this, it’s not unreasonable to expect more from “The Score.”  This is another movie with an A-list cast who are saddled with a Z-list script.  The acting is fine, but the character development is next to none, and plot is generic.  When will Hollywood learn that you need more than a cast to make a good movie?  Unfortunately, star power sells tickets, and that’s all Hollywood cares about.  Who gives a damn if the audience likes the movie as long as they buy tickets?

Nick (DeNiro) is a career thief who is looking to retire.  He’s made some money and had a bit of fun, but he wants out.  His handler, Max (Brando), says he can get him a low-risk job with a $4 million dollar payoff.  For that, he has to work with Jack (Norton), a suspicious young upstart who’s the brains behind the operation.

For about 90 minutes, the film moves along in a predictable fashion.  It’s entirely watchable, but not compelling.  It goes through all the planning stages, and it tries to make us guess whether or not Nick will actually go through with it.  But the answer is obvious, or else there would be no movie.  The film picks up during the heist sequence, which is well-executed and has a high level of tension.  Unfortunately, the film sags after that after the plot gives way to senseless clichés and an unsatisfying final act.

At least the cast does their jobs, although there is almost nothing for them to work with.  DeNiro, Norton and Brando are all in fine form, but the script is so threadbare that it’s beneath them.  Angela Bassett, an uneven actress who is capable of solid performances, is wasted as Nick’s girlfriend Diane (despite what the trailer hints at, she’s really superfluous).

Frank Oz, the voice of Miss Piggy and R2D2, is primarily a comic director.  His directorial resume includes “What About Bob?” and “Death at a Funeral,” neither of which resembles anything like a heist movie.  Oz may be trying to stretch his range, but his approach is at best, uninspired.

For a $68 million dollar pricetag, you’d think they’d have invested in a better script.  But if you understand the way Hollywood works, it’s not surprising.  The three stars were offered giant paychecks for a script that is safe and easy to market.  Quite honestly, if I were offered what these guys were, I’d appear in just about anything too.

The sad thing is, that even with actors whose talent and screen status is more suited for something better than this script, it still wouldn’t be worth watching except if it’s on TV.

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