Today’s quick review: Lucky Number Slevin. Josh Hartnett stars as Slevin Kelevra, a down-on-his-luck man with a wry sense of humor who gets swept up in a case of mistaken identity when he goes to stay with his childhood friend, Nick, in New York. But Nick is nowhere to be found, and before the day is out, Slevin has been hauled in front both the Boss (Morgan Freedman) and the Rabbi (Ben Kingsley), the heads of two rival gangs. Apparently Nick owed money to both gangs, and now Slevin is given just days to work off Nick’s debts. Making matters more complicated is the mysterious professional killer known as Mr. Goodkat (Bruce Willis) who seems to have Slevin in his sights. Slevin’s one ally is Lindsey (Lucy Liu), Nick’s inquisitive next-door neighbor. Armed with only his wits, Slevin has to find a way to pay off “his” debt and worm his way out of a decades-long rivalry between the Boss and the Rabbi.
Lucky Number Slevin is a powerful example of what happens when you combine stylish storytelling, a well-constructed plot, and a healthy sense of humor. The setup is interesting, and it spirals nicely into the later plot. From the very beginning the story introduces questions with no clear answers, and the reintroduction of these threads boosts an ordinary tale of mistaken identity into something much more intricate and satisfying. The twists keep coming, until by the end the film has grown into a credible crime drama while retaining its comedic elements.
The characters go a long way towards establishing the tone of the movie. Slevin’s attempts to talk his way out of situations are usually unsuccessful but always amusing. His patience and sense of humor at his mistreatment give him a sympathetic quality, while his proactive efforts to resolve his problems turn him from a passive victim into an underdog. Lindsey acts as his confidante, co-conspirator, and love interest. Her questions are always to the point, and she helps Slevin figure out what information he is missing and what he should do next. Liu and Hartnett have real chemistry, and their scenes with each other help glue the movie together.
The dialogue is witty, fast-paced, and a bit too uniform. Everyone in the universe seems to partake in the same banter, with their own similar observations on the ironies and incongruities of life. The good news is that this style of writing leads to plenty of intellectual bubblegum, from clever metaphors and subtle jabs to blink-and-you’ll-miss-them jokes. Fans of this type of writing will have plenty to look forward to. The bad news is that eventually the cleverness begins to wear thin. The key exchanges in the movie are buried in a flurry of verbal sparring, and the viewer has to play close attention to catch everything.
Lucky Number Slevin is a movie with a little bit of everything. Its impressive crime-genre plot is supported by witty dialogue, fun characters, and stylish presentation. Watch if if you’re in the mood for a satisfying crime drama layered with humor and zest. Skip it if you’re looking for an easy watch or if you prefer your dramas unadulterated. 7.8 out of 10 on IMDB.