Solid movie with clever script...not terribly entertaining though

Rating: 7/10 (31 October 2006)

Smilovic's script is undoubtedly the strongest part of "Lucky Number Slevin"(in case you're wondering "why the retarded name?" the explanation is in the movie). It's wholly based on twists and turns, with the more and more tiresome(but still working) "look-at-all-the-clues-you'll-only-notice-in-the-second-viewing" revelation at the end. The problem with such a script, of course, is that the movie has to be pretty damn good for you to want to watch it again. Lucky Number Slevin isn't that good.
The actors are all big names, but none of them are giving it what they really got. It was nice seeing Lucy Lui in a role not totally stereotype, as usually happens to her. Morgan Freeman was a gangster, but still his usual jovial self, nothing new under the sky here, except a momentary emotional outburst at the end of the movie. Harnett was pretty forgettable, along with the rest of the cast.
Directing is professional, camera-work too, with nothing to complain about. The sets and location are well-chosen, which is something you don't usually notice. Music is pretty bland, there's strings when you should be sad, and some more strings.
This is worth seeing in the cinema or renting, but nothing you'll want to watch more than once or twice.