Fortunately, most of her scenes are opposite James Gandolfini, whose composure is an elixir for Roberts' fanaticism. But 10 minutes after his introduction his character takes an unexpected turn, and by the third act Gandolfini is a far cry from his TV alter ego. It doesn't immediately register, but Gandolfini's tempered presence is the film's biggest asset. The violence sprinkled throughout this film is disarming because the camera work and soundtrack foster a lighthearted atmosphere. The film is filled with criminals and killers, so the violence is justified, but Verbinski neglects to drop hints of morality against the gunplay and that challenges the likability of the characters.
Violence is the most obvious excess, but it's part of a grander inefficiency.
Most excessive are the final 15 minutes, which is more of a coda than an ending. Hackman is a pleasant surprise, but these last minutes suck the sizzle out of a film that maintains decent wattage for most of its running time. All Rights Reserved. Don't steal our stuff.