Those three actors get the most screen time and are the most entertaining (not to mention the yummiest); Pitt and Clooney especially have an easy rapport that makes you think they've been friends since 5th grade. Of the remaining bunch, the best are Elliot Gould hamming it up as a flamboyant ex-casino owner and Bernie Mac (the scene between him and Matt Damon is terrific). Scott Caan and Casey Affleck show why nepotism is a bad thing, although at least they're believable in their roles as annoying idiots. (Honestly, they belong in those movies the Mystery Science Theater guys used to watch, which would trumpet "Travolta and Stallone!" and then you would read the small print and see it was Joey Travolta and Frank Stallone. Michael Douglas' and Sean Connery's brothers made a career out of these direct-to-video movies; why can't Scott Caan, Casey Affleck, Stephen Baldwin, and all those other actors and actresses whose main talent is having a famous relative do the same?)
Unfortunately, Julia Roberts never makes you believe anyone would knock over a 7-11, much less three casinos, for her. She's humorless and unpleasant nearly every second she's on screen, with a tight, drawn look that makes her seem much older than she actually is. She has zero chemistry with Clooney, which sort of knocks the wind out of the idea that he's doing this complex, highly dangerous robbery to win her back. Plus, the breezy, fast-paced action stops dead whenever she's around -- although, sure, it gives Clooney an excuse to go all bedroom-eyes and seductive, so it's a fair trade-off.
The movie
zips along briskly and flashily, not dwelling much on details
like plausibility or character continuity. It's all style and no
substance (I bet more money was spent on Clooney's wardrobe than on the
script). Yes, it's fun and enjoyable, but take it from me: don't
poke below the surface or you may find your amusement dwindling.
Although I had a good time watching it, I found myself thinking
afterwards
that it seemed like kind of a waste of the very talented people
involved.
On the other hand, it seems like they had a blast making it, and that
sense
of fun carries over. So... let's say it's a fun night out but
no classic.
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