Sunday, November 02, 2008
Are you a RockNRolla???
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“People ask the question ‘what’s a rocknrolla?‘“ Gerard Butler mumbles in RockNRolla, Guy Ritchie’s latest film.
Ritchie’s much anticipated crime caper takes place in London’s underworld, where a real estate scam puts millions of pounds up for grabs, attracting the attention of thugs, thieves and a variety of bungling badasses.
When a wealthy Russian property developer invites London’s inept crime boss, Lenny (Tom Wilkinson) to help him with an important deal, he offers his prized “lucky painting” to the boss as collateral in lieu of payment.
But when the Russian has his smart and glamorous accountant Stella (Thandie Newton) transfer the money owed to Lenny, it’s intercepted by two small-time crooks known as Mumbles (Idris Elba) and One Two (Gerard Butler). And to make matters worse, the lucky painting suddenly goes missing, and the number-one suspect is a crack-addicted, sadistic rock star, Johnny Quid (Toby Kebbell).
RockNRolla, which recalls Ritchie’s previous genre films, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, and most recently, Revolver (none of which were huge hits, but still have large cult followings), has been very well received thus far by movie critics and moviegoers alike.
As is typical of Ritchie movies, many things are happening simultaneously and frantically, so try not to blink.
According to The Los Angeles Times, “Ritchie whisks you along on a whirlwind tour, but he’s not averse to putting on the brakes long enough to admire some of his favorite attractions.”
In typical Ritchie-style, the film is filled with its share of bloody violence, twists and turns, questionable characters and even humor. The cast also includes Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jeremy Piven (of HBO’s Entourage), and a smart and lengthy combination of British talent.
So, what is a RockNRolla? You’ll have to see the movie to find out. RockNRolla opened in the U.S. October 31.
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