All Bets Are Off

Rating: 7/10 (23 December 2008)

The promotional material inarguably reads: "The skill of Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh combines with enough starpower to light up the Las Vegas strip in this classy caper. George Clooney plays Danny, defying the odds in a split-second heist of three Vegas casinos - all owned by a magnate (Andy Garcia) who is dating Danny's ex-wife (Julia Roberts). A fixer (Brad Pitt), a pickpocket (Matt Damon), a blackjack dealer (Bernie Mac), a flimflammer (Carl Reiner) and others in well-defined roles are with Danny. Are you in or out?"
You're "in" for smooth, star-studded entertainment. The main actor is Mr. Clooney, who has developed a great, almost Cary Grant-like persona. Highlights include Mr. Damon donning a Ripley-type manner, and his well-played "confrontation" with Mr. Mac. Alan Colmes is quite an unexpected boxing fan. In sum, if you think a film can be too slick, "Ocean's Eleven" should prove it inarguably.
******* Ocean's Eleven (2001) Steven Soderbergh ~ George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon