Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Paul McGuigan

Writer (WGA):

Jason Smilovic (written by)

Release Date:

7 April 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

Wrong Time. Wrong Place. Wrong Number.

Plot:

A case of mistaken identity lands Slevin into the middle of a war being plotted by two of the city's most rival crime bosses: The Rabbi and The Boss. Slevin is under constant surveillance by relentless Detective Brikowski as well as the infamous assassin Goodkat and finds himself having to hatch his own ingenious plot to get them before they get him.

Plot Keywords:

Death | Mistaken Identity | Assassin | Morgue | Revenge

Awards:

4 wins & 3 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. July 20

1:00 AM

SPIKETV

Cast

Josh Hartnett	...	Slevin Kelevra
Bruce Willis	...	Mr. Goodkat
Lucy Liu	...	Lindsey
Morgan Freeman	...	The Boss
Ben Kingsley	...	The Rabbi (as Sir Ben Kingsley)
Michael Rubenfeld	...	Yitzchok
Peter Outerbridge	...	Det. Dumbrowski
Stanley Tucci	...	Det. Brikowski
Kevin Chamberlin	...	Marty
Dorian Missick	...	Elvis
Mykelti Williamson	...	Sloe
Scott Gibson	...	Max
Daniel Kash	...	Bodyguard #1
Dmitry Chepovetsky	...	Bodyguard #2
Sam Jaeger	...	Nick Fisher

Also Known As:

Lucky # Slevin (Germany) (USA) (DVD box title)
Lucky Number S7evin (USA) (poster title)
The Wrong Man (Australia)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, sexuality and language.

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

UK:18 | Netherlands:12 | Iceland:16 | Canada:18A | Finland:K-15 | Argentina:16 | Malaysia:18PL | Spain:18 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | France:U | Singapore:R21 (cut) | Australia:MA | Italy:T | Brazil:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Germany:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Ireland:16 (theatrical rating) | Ireland:18 (DVD rating) | USA:R (certificate #42253) | New Zealand:R18 | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Company:

Capitol Films

Trivia:

The name of the film comes from an episode title of "The New Shmoo" (1979). Shmoo is also referenced by Morgan Freeman in the movie. However, Morgan Freeman's description of a Shmoo is a paraphrase of the standard version from Li'l Abner by Al Capp who introduced the fantasy beast in 1948.

Goofs:

Continuity: Stanley Tucci does not recognize Lucy Liu, Josh Hartnett's dinner date, when only earlier in the day he met her as the lab technician in the coroner's office.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Soldier: He's clean.
Benny Begin: So, why are you here? Huh?

Movie Connections:

Remake of Yojimbo (1961)

Soundtrack:

In Dreams, Perhaps

A welcome surprise, Slevin has appeared as if from nowhere.

Bruce Willis, Sir Ben Kingsley, Morgan Freeman, Lucy Liu, Stanley Tucci and Josh Hartnett fill a cast line up every bit as impressive as say, Sin City. Leaving behind the sour taste of Wicker Park, Scottish McGuigan follows the likes of his own Gangster Number 1 with this incredibly cool, at times funny thriller that has somehow sneaked into the cinemas without much of a fuss. Supporting cast includes a very welcome cameo from a Jackie Brown star and a bunch of UK actors imitating their US counterpart's accents to perfection. The pairing of Sir Ben and Freeman alone is worth the price of admission, but this is Hartnett(as Slevin)'s film and perhaps it should not be too surprising that he carries it off effectively. In fact, none of the cast really put a foot wrong and even Lucy Liu is pretty adorable (against type too if you believe the all the press).

Despite a reasonably confusing series of opening events, Slevin is essentially a straight forward, neat black comedy of errors (mistaken identity for one) with a fairly silly title (wonder how many reviews are going to give this Slevin out of 10?). The dialogue is at times razor sharp and the action is well shot. The body count climbs steadily as the movie progresses at a cracking pace that never becomes dull. Slevin is thematically similar to a few other choice stories, but like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang - Slevin should be enjoyed more for the ride and the audience should try not to guess ahead of the plot and let it unfold naturally. There will still be some surprises appearing even for the most avid film fans but like so many thrillers Slevin could be ruined from word of mouth. If it weren't for the warm, familiar feel of similar films, this little gem would be rated higher. Unfairly dismissed by some as confusing, wrongly compared to the legendary Usual Suspects - it's a league apart from the mess that was Revolver and doesn't outstay a welcome.

Oh, and Willis gets to call someone a 'f*** head' again. Great stuff.