journal features

movie review - Double Whammy

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-eight years and a million words

Toronto, 2003.01.13

This is a movie that I wanted to like. It's got Denis Leary playing a cop, Steve Buscemi playing his partner, and Elizabeth Hurley playing the love interest. And it has a supporting cast that includes Luis Guzman and Chris Noth. Noth even plays a cop. What's more, it's a somewhat goofy comedy with at least two subplots and characters that seem all set to go places.

But there's something wrong with the thing. The timing was consistently wonky. And while the actors' delivery was generally good, their character's lines were often so trite they defied belief that this film was made in 2001. Leary's cop even spent too much time getting high and watching exercise shows on TV, while tolerating an office of cardboard cutouts. I have to imagine that the script came across well to the excellent cast. Was it just a matter of editing? I don't know. Pity.

Not recommended.

rand()m quote

One day you will take a fork in the road, and you're going to have to make a decision about which direction you want to go. If you go one way, you can be somebody. You will have to make compromises and you will have to turn your back on your friends. But you will be a member of the club and you will get promoted and get good assignments. Or you can go the other way and you can do something [...] for yourself. If you decide to do something, you may not get promoted and get good assignments and you certainly will not be a favorite of your superiors. But you won't have to compromise yourself. To be somebody or to do something. In life there is often a roll call. That's when you have to make a decision. To be or to do.

—John Boyd, US Air Force