Score, The : Movie Review


The Score  (2001) - Movie PosterThe Score boasts a fantastic cast line up, including Edward Norton, Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro, promising a tantalizing couple of hours on the screen. But, is that what you get?

Nick (De Niro) owns a Jazz club in Montreal, pays his taxes, but leads a secret life an intelligent thief, with expert knowledge in de-coding and safe opening. Sick of the pressure and multiple risks he faces on a job, he decides to retire from his crimes. Nick is offered on last job, which proves too tasty to resist.

Max (Brando) propositions him, offering $6 million for his troubles. Jack (Norton), an arrogant young criminal (associated with mogul Max) has been checking out the security patterns in the Montreal Customs House, where he poses as a junior retarded Janitor named Brian. Nick, uneasy, but lured by the potential retirement package agrees to rob a priceless relic from the basement. The only trouble is, he and Jack will have to crack codes and outwit a sophisticated security system - Nick agrees to the job, on the condition that Jack must always follow his lead - or, he walks.

Jack has other ideas…

Up until at least half way through the film, you may feel a little regretful at your decision to see this movie. Soon enough, the pressure mounts and tension builds, ensuring some edge-of-your-seat action, when the heist is in progress. Norton plays his characters well, convincing impressions of his mentally disabled character, adding some slight realism to the robbery caper. De Niro as Nick is unfairly unchallenged, his skills and talents not stretched anywhere near his true capability as an actor. Marlon Brando - old movie star extraordinaire, should stick to collecting his pension! His depiction of rich criminal Max is transparent and two-dimensional.

Interestingly, as the pace quickens, so does your interest, but just as it's getting good, the curtains - rapidly, unexpectedly and annoyingly the movie ends!

In that case, The Score is simply worthy of no more words!

Author : Max Willis Of Cinema.com