This is a great suspense/crime film cut straight from the mold of Reservoir Dogs. There's a crime being committed by several people who trust each other at first, but later start to doubt each other's motivation as things don't go exactly as planned. There's violence, suspense, and humor.
Christopher Walken plays Charlie Barret, formerly Carlo Bartolucci. His name has changed because he wants to dissociate himself from his past life as a mobster. Barret actually is the victim of the crime committed by Avery, Max, TK, and Brett played by Henry Thomas, Max Minot, Jeremy Sisto, and Jay Mohr. Avery's sister Elise, played by Laura Harris, has been kidnapped and is being held for two million dollars. Even though they are from a rich family, Avery explains that most of the wealth is on paper and not cash so they really don't have the means to pay. They are holding Barret ransom for the two million dollars to pay the ransom for Avery's sister. They explain that things have gotten desperate because they have missed the deadline and the original kidnappers are starting to send them Elise's body parts for each hour they continue to be late. They tell Barret that everything that is taken from Elise will be taken from him until he comes up with the money, so they cut off his pinky to show that they mean business. Sounds simple, right?
Things start to get complicated when unexpected turns of events take place. For example: They are holding Barret for ransom, but they quickly realize that will identify themselves if they give a phone number where they can be reached by those who would pay the ransom. Finger pointing and confusion ensue, and all the while, the sly Barret is sizing up his captors looking for the edge.
This is where Walken's presence invades this character. His characteristic delivery is always fun. He makes Barret seem to almost be on these kids side even though he is their prisoner. Barret warns them to let him go before things go wrong, but then when they don't, he seems to be enjoying the theatre of their attempts to keep their plan on track. He actually smiles ever so slightly on several occasions, looking as though he were watching all the action from a darkened room with a bucket of popcorn on his lap. However, you know that he'd dispose of these punks without a second thought if only he weren't tied to that chair.
That's as far as I'm willing to go. If you want more, you'll have to see it for yourself. Walken is great, and Dennis Leary as Lono Veccio was funny and ruthless.
Christopher Walken plays Charlie Barret, formerly Carlo Bartolucci. His name has changed because he wants to dissociate himself from his past life as a mobster. Barret actually is the victim of the crime committed by Avery, Max, TK, and Brett played by Henry Thomas, Max Minot, Jeremy Sisto, and Jay Mohr. Avery's sister Elise, played by Laura Harris, has been kidnapped and is being held for two million dollars. Even though they are from a rich family, Avery explains that most of the wealth is on paper and not cash so they really don't have the means to pay. They are holding Barret ransom for the two million dollars to pay the ransom for Avery's sister. They explain that things have gotten desperate because they have missed the deadline and the original kidnappers are starting to send them Elise's body parts for each hour they continue to be late. They tell Barret that everything that is taken from Elise will be taken from him until he comes up with the money, so they cut off his pinky to show that they mean business. Sounds simple, right?
Things start to get complicated when unexpected turns of events take place. For example: They are holding Barret for ransom, but they quickly realize that will identify themselves if they give a phone number where they can be reached by those who would pay the ransom. Finger pointing and confusion ensue, and all the while, the sly Barret is sizing up his captors looking for the edge.
This is where Walken's presence invades this character. His characteristic delivery is always fun. He makes Barret seem to almost be on these kids side even though he is their prisoner. Barret warns them to let him go before things go wrong, but then when they don't, he seems to be enjoying the theatre of their attempts to keep their plan on track. He actually smiles ever so slightly on several occasions, looking as though he were watching all the action from a darkened room with a bucket of popcorn on his lap. However, you know that he'd dispose of these punks without a second thought if only he weren't tied to that chair.
That's as far as I'm willing to go. If you want more, you'll have to see it for yourself. Walken is great, and Dennis Leary as Lono Veccio was funny and ruthless.
