|
|
  
Back Shelf Beauties
|
The Big Bounce Elmore Leonard has written several novels that have been turned into movies, but we're starting to get to the bottom of the barrel. Owen Wilson is one of my favorite actors, but even he can't save this lukewarm film. The best reason to see The Big Bounce is to see the trailer for his next movie, Starsky and Hutch (which looks AWESOME!!!!). Wilson stars as Jack - a con man and thief who is living in Hawaii, trying to be a good boy, but letting temptation get the best of him. He lost his construction job after whacking the foreman, so Jack needs to find a way to make a few bucks. Along comes Nancy (Sara Foster), a woman who has all of the physical traits that men over the age of 13 find VERY attractive (especially when she's wearing a bikini). She's fooling around with the wealthy, shady real estate developer Ray Ritchie (Gary Sinise) and has a plan to steal $200,000 that he is supposed to use to pay off some local mob tough guys. Is Jack going to help her steal it? Does Nancy have a plan to get away with all of the money? Are these two crazy kids falling in love? For a caper movie, The Big Bounce is fairly weak, unimaginative and uncomplicated. Writer Sebastian Gutierrez has a cast of many at his disposal, and the characters are played by very capable actors, but he doesn't use them to full advantage. Director Joseph Armitage sets a slow pace, but Gutierrez doesn't come up with many zany subplots, little hints at others' motives, or clues to capers behind the caper. Even if these are not present in Elmore Leonard's original novel, of the first movie adaptation starring Ryan O'Neal, it's up to him to create them for the movie. A good caper movie is more madcap and intricately draws together several subplots along with the main plot to keep us on the edge of our seat until the end, hopefully, an end we don't see coming. A great caper movie is Ocean's 11. The Big Bounce is like Ocean's Zero. Sadly, Wilson is left to carry the load, and does his best to add some zip and zeal to the mess. He brings an undeniable charm that barely conceals a mischievous side. This often well suits his characters, especially in this role where he gets the best dialogue, or elevates average dialogue with his great delivery. Wilson could have set off some sparks with his leading lady if she had the talent to match that body. Foster does alright, but hosting ET on MTV and modeling isn't the best training for an actress, especially one that is asked to verbally spar with a good actor. The sexual tension and energy should have been running on high, but Foster can't match Wilson's ability and liveliness. When he elevates the average dialogue, she can't keep up. It's like listening to a great jazz improv where the bass player gets lost. Although, the bass player does look good in that bikini. The rest of the cast, including Morgan Freeman, Bebe Neuwirth, Charlie Sheen and Willie Nelson, is wasted. Armitage doesn't get much out of them, and the script doesn't ask for it. The Big Bounce is a big dud. 1 (Waffle Out of 4) Copyright 2004 - WaffleMovies.com
|
