And hey, what do you know? Before they even made 'Community' or even tackled bigger fish with the Captain America franchise and ultimately making the highest-grossing movie of all time, finally knocking James Cameron off the top spot, with "Avengers - Endgame", The Russo brothers made this humble little film that somehow sunk its hooks into me.
And nope, I didn't even know it was a Russo brothers film (although technically a western remake of an old Italian 1958 film) until I looked up the appropriate details to type into this blog entry. Good old hindsight.
WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD (2002 dir. Anthony Russo & James Russo)
Why I bought it/Why I liked it:
My memory remains slightly foggy for this one. I honestly can't remember if the first time this was viewed fell under 'newest release of the week' in the cinema or the 'one of the newest release of the week' in Blockbuster. Please light your lighters for the traditional mention of Blockbusters and how they are still sorely missed in today's world.
Either way, this fell shortly after one of the all-time classic heist movies I had watched, Stephen Soderbergh's incredible remake of "Ocean's Eleven". To this date, one of my favourite ever films just because of how damn slick and cool the movie feels, my bubbling respect for George Clooney was beginning to boil over.
Already having earned my respect with Robert Rodriguez's "From Dusk 'Till Dawn", George's coolness factor was turning a few heads at this point. Off the success of "Oceans Eleven", the marketing guys used George as the focal point for the promotion of this film, even though he isn't the star of said film. See look at the DVD cover, who's front and centre at this point?
I'd also paid attention to it coming up when Empire wrote a brief preview of the film. Sitting down and watching it with my dad, it was a fun breezy heist caper featuring a wealth of familiar faces and character actors of the time. Sam Rockwell was building momentum before showing the world what he could really do after playing bit parts in many a film. The ever-dependable William H. Macy popped up and the man who seemed to follow me everywhere at one point, Luis Guzman. I'm not kidding in a run of films I would watch especially during this period, Luis Guzman would more than often pop up. I swear him and Xander Berkley just follow me around.
In fact, new segment in the blog:
Seems appropriate.
Anyhoo, all these guys made for a great viewing experience and like I mentioned, just something about it struck a really nice chord in me.
Inevitably during another bulking the collection out session in CEX, it got picked up on the cheap.
If I think it'll stay in the collection:
I think it's too harmless to not stay in the collection. I remember the film being a really fun made little caper and I think it'll fly along quite merrily. Again the dreaded early noughties rose-tinted glasses effect might come into play here but I was surprised that "Welcome To The Jungle" held up, so it might not be all "Zoolander" doom and gloom.
The review:
It's a delightful film. The plot is simple, a lifer in prison tells an inmate of the perfect heist and all that needs to be done is for them to carry it out. Rewatching it again, I laughed in various places, was swept away by a variety of enjoyable performances and chewed up the music and scenery. It's the equivalent of going to a music bar to meet some friends. You take a gamble, you've never heard these guys before but they start playing. They're tight, you start bopping your head to the music, tapping your foot against the barstool. By the time they've finished their set, you've become a fan and you'll definitely come back to see them again.
That's this film really. A special mention needs to be made to the aesthetic of the film. It's a wonderful combination of modern but with a 40's feel. Sort of how Gotham is portrayed in 'Batman: The Animated Series'. Old storefronts, swinging jazz, there's a warm feel about it, like wrapping yourself up in a blanket and drinking a hot drink. The score provided by Mark Mothersbaugh proves why he's one of the unsung heroes of the film soundtrack and why he's so often used by Wes Anderson. It fits in perfectly with the feel of the movie.
The meat and potatoes of the film are the performances though. From Luis Guzman's angry and frustrated Cosimo and his long-suffering girlfriend Rosalind, played by the always reliable Patricia Clarkson. The dapper and always well dressed Isiah Washington as Leon wearing a dinner jacket and pipe to a boxing match, to hopeless but loveable loser Sam Rockwell as Pero. Wonderful turns also put in by Michael Jeter as Toto which sadly was one of his last films and the eternally beautiful Jennifer Esposito as the flirtatious Carmella. These are characters, they stand out and like everyone in a band they hit their notes on point.
I won't spoil what happens during the actual heist itself but needless to say, it's a chuckle a minute making this a very easy watch,
Negatives are few, there are a few tacked-on romantic scenes that linger perhaps a tad too long, including a side plot with character Basil which ultimately goes nowhere but does add charm at the very least.
Should it stay or should it go?
It's charming and inoffensive, a perfectly good way to kill an hour and a half. Your mileage may vary as it would with any film I review but I think this is a little gem and should be given if a chance should you stumble upon it on tv or in a charity shop. I'll give this 7 out of 10 too. It won't change your life but you won't be angry you watched it either.
So next up, one of the films that were actually the basis for me starting this whole blog in the first place. Oh and Christopher Walken says hi again...
Until next time, I remain,
Matt Major.
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