Film Reviews

The Lookout

• Director:
• Starring: Isla Fisher
• Details: USA / 99mins (15).

PREVIEW




Despite receiving some admirable reviews Stateside, The Lookout sank without a trace at the American box-office; yet it seems destined for a cult following, as fledgling movie star Gordon-Levitt continues to impress with his fascinating choices and staggeringly natural ability. The Lookout is based around a once-popular high school student Chris Pratt (Levitt), who was the driver in a car accident that killed some of his friends, leaving him with permanent brain damage. Forced to take a job as a janitor, Chris is roped in by a charismatic gang leader (Goode) to become a driver in an armed robbery they're planning. Director Frank is behind some of the best crime scripts of the last decade, having penned the classic Out of Sight and the hugely enjoyable Get Shorty. He makes his debut here with an interesting premise and fantastic cast, including Jeff Daniels and Isla Fisher. How well a film like this does in the cinema (a question answered unequivocally Stateside) will depend solely on word-of-mouth. However, seeing as the distributor hasn't scheduled a press screening, people will have to stumble upon it, as fanfare and marketing appears to be minimal. Ostensibly one for the DVD shelf, but I still reckon The Lookout could be a welcome change from the nauseating (not in a good way) fourth Saw movie making its bloody way to a cinema near you this weekend.

Review by Mike Sheridan