Lucky Indeed

Rating: 7/10 (8 April 2006)

A movie with a title as stupid as Lucky Number Slevin needs to have a lot working in its favor. Thankfully, what might seem like another Snatch meets Pulp Fiction rip off actually proves to be a worthy addition to the silver screen.
Following our main character Slevin (Josh Hartnett), we find a simple case of mistaken identity. Slevin has come to stay at the apartment of his friend Nick, but Nick never shows up.
Soon he is visited by the girl next door (played by Lucy Liu), and finds himself in the middle of a gang war between the boss (Morgan Freeman) and the Rabbi (Ben Kingsley, credited as Sir Ben Kingsley because the actor must have an inferiority complex.) What will happen next? Will Slevin live? Why is his identity mistaken? Thankfully there are answers, and they aren't disappointing ones, either.
The acting, script and direction are all top notch. Director Paul McGuigan handles the large cast well. Every actor plays the part right, including Josh Hartnett who is quite a bit better here than he was in Pearl Harbor.
Morgan Freeman and Bruce Willis play roles similar to some stuff they've done before (no, Morgan Freeman is not God again), but they do a fine job at it.
Much of the on screen time takes place in New York, and there is an interesting artistic style that has flair without being overtly flashy. There is even a visual effect shot that efficiently sets up the conflict between the warring mob bosses.
One thing, however, that may be surprising is the amount of violence.
Although the film is never gratuitous with its bullet holes, there are moments of visual bloodshed and intrinsic nastiness. A somewhat fun, light-hearted mood permeates most of the time, yet at heart Lucky Number Slevin is a drama.
There are also some pretty nifty action scenes, as McGuigan demonstrates a unique directorial style. There is more than just action, though, and the dialogue itself is usually sharp.
At times it heavily resembles the blissful operatic ramblings of Quentin Tarantino, but the real joy here is the story and the way it is told.
I love when movies have lots of little details that are wrapped up in the end.
This is perhaps the best attribute of Lucky Number Slevin, as all the little pieces of the puzzle come together.
Sometimes too many plot elements are crammed into one little monologue to explain an entire movie, but here every little twist and surprise is revealed at the right time and in an appealing way.
The script is smart, and for the most part it properly balances light-hearted humor with serious dramatic moments. It seems actual thought and care went into the narrative structure.
Ultimately, Lucky Number Slevin ends on a high note.
A successful mix of a crime caper, a drama, a situation comedy and a mystery, the film knows when to borrow and when to pave a path of its own. There is enough originality to make it worth the time, and it successfully tells an interesting story distinctly.
Critic's Conclusion: Dramatic, funny and smart, Lucky Number Slevin is a successful collage of genres. Don't let the title fool you, there is more here than first meets the eye.