The Score Review
By Joe Lozito
Heist Capades
At this point, maybe we should sit back and let Robert De Niro do whatever he wants. Sure, occasionally we'll get the odd "15 Minutes" or "Rocky & Bullwinkle", but for the most part Mr. De Niro churns out solid genre pieces like "Ronin" and his most recent "The Score".
Like 1998's car chase-fest "Ronin", "The Score" aspires to be nothing more than what it is: a heist thriller. And at this level it succeeds admirably. As directed by The Muppets' Frank Oz, "The Score" is one of those movies that spends all its time building to the final act during which our heroes pull off the big job. We follow the characters as they pour over blueprints, study safes and case the steam tunnels under the Customs House they plan to knock-off.
Of course, there are some stock elements: the double-crosses, the trust questions, and of course the "this is going to be my last job" sentiments. Most unfortunate is the wasted Angela Basset who simply plays a "see you when I see you" love interest for Mr. De Niro's safecracker. Her character is given very little to do, but she and Mr. De Niro do make a cute couple.
But the element that really makes "The Score" worth watching is its casting. Mr. De Niro is flanked by Edward Norton, full of his usual brash, boyish intensity and Marlon Brando, who could easily become the Sydney Greenstreet of this generation with his portly swagger, high-pitched voice and constant perspiration.
Of course, Mr. Brando and Mr. De Niro are indelibly linked by the character of Vito Corleone, which they played in the Godfather Parts I and II, respectively, but they have never shared the screen together. Watching them play off each other is certainly a treat, and the few scenes featuring all three actors are alive with electricity. It is a glimpse of a Hollywood past, before gross-out comedies and reality TV, when acting was acting and a suspense thriller was actually thrilling.
