ingenious crime pic with surprising twists

Rating: 8/10 (11 August 2006)

Lucky Number Slevin is a crime thriller with well-known actors and hilarious names of characters. Jason Smilovic has provided screenplay with enigmatic, precisely planned plot. The storyline is quite convoluted, but not to such an extent that an average viewer could not understand it. The dialogue is witty and quotable. In addition, to my astonishment Paul McGuigan (director of dull The Wicker Park) directs efficiently and keeps a fast pace throughout the film, which is to my mind crucial in this kind of flicks. The well-casted actors did a great job. In particular, Sir Ben Kingsley and Morgan Freeman are amazing as leaders of gangs fighting each other. Josh Hartnett also plays surprisingly well and convincingly. Among the minor vices of the film one can rate: an unnecessary love thread and a bit unoriginal (but surprising) plot. All in all, Lucky Number Slevin is an ingenious crime pic with numerous surprising twists.