Lumet Lights Up
BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD
Running Time 123 minutes
Written by Kelly Masterson
Directed by Sidney Lumet
Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, Ethan Hawke
Sidney Lumet, 83, cements his reputation as a world-class director with Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, a botched-heist thriller with labyrinthine plot twists, suspenseful character revelations and out-of-sequence narrative elements befitting a grand opera mounted on a massive scale. Two scummy losers who are also brothers plan to rob their family’s jewelry store. Andy (Philip Seymour Hoffman) needs money to pay back what he has already stolen from his real estate office, feed his drug habit and pacify his restless slut of a wife (Marisa Tomei), who is also sleeping with his kid brother Hank (Ethan Hawke). Hank, with child support payments and a vicious ex-wife (Amy Ryan again), nervously drags in an accomplice (the always fascinating Brian F. O’Byrne) who accidentally kills a store employee, unaware she is the siblings’ own mother (Rosemary Harris), then dies in the gunfire himself. While his murderous family tracks them down, the father (Albert Finney) plots revenge on the robbers who killed his wife, not knowing the killers are his own sons. One snafu follows the next, until rage, fear and grief consumes them like a Greek tragedy. If anyone is still alive at the end, I forget which one it is.
It’s good to see Lumet return to form, but be forewarned: the movie begins with hundreds of pounds of Philip Seymour Hoffman, stark naked, humping away at poor Marisa Tomei in a pool of sweat. It’s a sight not unlike a Sumo wrestler attacking a Barbie doll. Hoffman is a good actor, nolo contendere, but this is a vision grotesque enough to send you flying to the exit doors.
this is a horrible review. all you did was give away the entire story, and make jokes about it. and if you really can't stomach psh naked... i mean, come on. would you prefer someone else was cast so you could see a better looking guy naked? what is your deal. seriously, this review is pathetic- full of spoilers and you clearly haven't even taken the time to digest the film.
I have to agree that this is a terrible review of a powerful film. Mr. Reed should have rushed out the exit doors at the first scene, and spared us his spoiler filled weight-phobic review entirely. It is in the twist and turns that the film brings us through that makes it captivating, never letting the audience relax. This is a film that the less you know going in, the more powerful its hold.
What a powerful way to start this film, and good for Philip Seymour Hoffman to put himself out there in this role. I was less disturbed by his naked body and more surprised that we saw as much of him as we did. And what film did Mr. Reed actually see that makes him refer to Marisa Tomei's character as a "restless slut of a wife"? She was married to a drug addict, possible gay man who couldn't fulfill her needs, sexually or emotionally. Misguided yes, but a "slut"? I think Mr Reed gets it very wrong in his haste to end a review with a fat joke. I apologize to any reader who reads his review BEFORE seeing this powerful film. Bravo Mr. Lumet and cast...and a loud "hisss" to Mr. Reed!
I just saw the film, and I agree with the previous two comments. What does it matter if PSH is fat and naked? He is a great actor with a real body, something you don't see much of in Hollywood. I am so glad I did not read this before I saw the film, or it would have been ruined for me. I also agree with calling Marisa Tomei a slut--she tries to communicate with her husband again and again, to no avail. It is obvious he has shut her out, emotionally and sexually. It was gratifying to see this neglected actress get a substantial role.
Terrible review, wonderful movie. Reed is horrifyingly superficial.
インプラント
wow gold
If anyone is still alive at the end, I forget which one it is.