'Inception' didn't give you much of an 'Arthur' by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I remember what a fantastic job he did portraying Chris Pratt in "The Lookout" (2007) a thoughtful thriller, just as brainy and dramatic (not high-minded hypothetical as "Inception").
Skillful writer Scott Frank, who gave us "Out of Sight" and "Minority Report", capably delivered his own screenplay and directorial debut thriller "The Lookout" - giving us a chance to appreciate how very talented Joseph Gordon-Levitt is. (Of course, if anyone had seen "Mysterious Skin", you'd know Gordon-Levitt can intensely and integrally get under the skin - no pun intended - of his characters. Then there's "500 Days of Summer" when he can handle romantic material just as elegantly.) This is a multi-faceted character, from beginning to end. We get to observe and feel the change and maturing of Chris Pratt, our protagonist of this story, and there are gritty, mind-tugging elements and scenes Gordon-Levitt has to go through. (Come to think of it, "The Lookout" is a much more entertaining movie to watch than "Inception" which is heavy on the theorem sci-fi and psycho-analysis side).
Mind you, The Lookout" is also mind-challenging. We are following Chris Pratt as he talks through with himself the steps and checklist items he has to execute to get to the next phase (of his day, his life). Not to worry, it's not confusing. It actually pulls you into the plot and makes you care for Chris, for his roommate Lewis (playfully acting blind by Jeff Daniels). And you'd want to know what would happen to the villains (Matthew Goode of "Match Point" coolly delivered Gary Spargo, leader of the gang), as this is a heist kind of a movie, where guns, coercion, menacing killer, money bags and bullets are involved. "Am I dead? I must be." Leave it to Daniels to deliver such a line. Yes, the storyline is absorbing and tight, the dialog is clever and with sprinkles of humor - you will enjoy and relish this film. Look out for "The Lookout" - already on DVD with bonus features on "Behind the Mind of Chris Pratt" and "Sequencing The Lookout". A thriller with dramatic human warmth (admirable life lessons inclusive) and satisfying conclusion (you will agree guaranteed) - can't get any better. Definitely a must-see.
Skillful writer Scott Frank, who gave us "Out of Sight" and "Minority Report", capably delivered his own screenplay and directorial debut thriller "The Lookout" - giving us a chance to appreciate how very talented Joseph Gordon-Levitt is. (Of course, if anyone had seen "Mysterious Skin", you'd know Gordon-Levitt can intensely and integrally get under the skin - no pun intended - of his characters. Then there's "500 Days of Summer" when he can handle romantic material just as elegantly.) This is a multi-faceted character, from beginning to end. We get to observe and feel the change and maturing of Chris Pratt, our protagonist of this story, and there are gritty, mind-tugging elements and scenes Gordon-Levitt has to go through. (Come to think of it, "The Lookout" is a much more entertaining movie to watch than "Inception" which is heavy on the theorem sci-fi and psycho-analysis side).
Mind you, The Lookout" is also mind-challenging. We are following Chris Pratt as he talks through with himself the steps and checklist items he has to execute to get to the next phase (of his day, his life). Not to worry, it's not confusing. It actually pulls you into the plot and makes you care for Chris, for his roommate Lewis (playfully acting blind by Jeff Daniels). And you'd want to know what would happen to the villains (Matthew Goode of "Match Point" coolly delivered Gary Spargo, leader of the gang), as this is a heist kind of a movie, where guns, coercion, menacing killer, money bags and bullets are involved. "Am I dead? I must be." Leave it to Daniels to deliver such a line. Yes, the storyline is absorbing and tight, the dialog is clever and with sprinkles of humor - you will enjoy and relish this film. Look out for "The Lookout" - already on DVD with bonus features on "Behind the Mind of Chris Pratt" and "Sequencing The Lookout". A thriller with dramatic human warmth (admirable life lessons inclusive) and satisfying conclusion (you will agree guaranteed) - can't get any better. Definitely a must-see.