This Movie is Rated R – For Violence and Language
This is the last of three movies that Ewan McGregor and Danny Boyle (Director) did together. It has some of the same vibes that “Shallow Grave” and “Trainspotting” had; interesting shots, frantic pacing at times, good music picks to fit the mood. It doesn’t seem to be as popular as the other two, maybe because it’s a bit quirkier. However, I really like it.
O’Reilly (Holly Hunter) and Jackson (Delroy Lindo) are angels who’s mission is to make two pre-selected people fall in love. As extra incentive, since their past performance has been less than stellar, they are told if they fail, they will have to stay down on earth forever. Now it’s up to them to figure out how to make it happen. As far as the whole angel thing goes, you just have to go with it, don’t overanalyze. Just realize that they are rather unique angels, with unorthodox methods (and in the case of O’Reilly, possibly insane).
Celine (Cameron Diaz) is the daughter of a rich businessman. She lives a life of leisure and is used to getting whatever she wants. Her current boyfriend has proposed to her, but she has turned him down. To make matters worse, she also manages to shoot him in the head. Luckily, he survives.
Robert (Ewan McGregor) works as a janitor in an office building. He has dreams of writing a “trash” novel. Although, it seems he may not be very good at it. Things take a downward turn for him when he is fired; he has been replaced by a cleaning robot. Then his girlfriend dumps him; he gets evicted from his house, and has his car and possessions repossessed.
Needless to say, Robert is pissed off. He decides to confront the owner of the company that fired him and try to get his job back. As luck would have it, at that very minute Celine is in her father’s office being told she’s going to have to start working for a living. You got it; this is the same office that Robert is headed for.
After, unsuccessfully confronting Celine’s father, Mr. Neville (Ian Holm), Robert ends up being attacked by security guards, shooting a cleaning robot and then shooting Mr. Neville in the leg. To make things even more interesting, he then ends up kidnapping Celine.
They take one of her father’s cars and make their getaway. Eventually, they find an old abandoned house in the middle of nowhere to hide out in. It quickly becomes apparent that Robert is in way over his head and doesn’t have a clue what to do next. However, it seems that Celine has a plan, which will benefit them both.
Things just get crazier and crazier as they try to implement their ransom plan, the angels try to accomplish their goals and Mr. Neville tries to get his daughter back and even more importantly have Robert killed in the process.
Ewan is absolutely adorable in this movie as the inept kidnapper. The character of Robert is so out of his element and rather naïve. Ewan captures it perfectly.
Some of my favorite scenes (without being too spoilery):
When Robert and Celine are in the phonebooth. Robert is trying to call Mr. Neville and make his ransom demands. He really sucks at it, so Celine is coaching him on how to do it correctly. I especially love the part when he accidentally dials a wrong number and the woman on the other end tries to fix him up with her daughter. The whole scene was so funny; both Ewan and Cameron did a great job.
The scene in the bar when Ritchie (aka Robert) is asked to come up on stage and sing. Ewan was fabulous with the singing, dancing and playing the drums. He is able to pull off a scene like that and make it classy (when it could so easily become cheesy).
Some of my favorite quotes:
Robert – “That robots are gonna get down on their little robot hands and knees and clean the dust out of every corner of every office in this building. I think not, Ms. Gesteten.”
O’Reilly – “We can do this with violence or without. It’s up to you. The client pays our medical bills, but not yours. Well?”
Robert – “Oh, without, please.”
Robert – “Just drive more carefully.”
Celine – “He cut in on me.”
Robert – “Mirror, signal, maneuver.”
Celine – “Because I am the victim and you are the kidnapper … apparently.”
Robert – “Meaning exactly what?”
Celine – “Kidnap for Beginners … Chapter 1. Have you even asked for a ransom yet?”
Jackson – “Naturally, we’d operate on a sliding scale, whereby if we only bring back part of your daughter, we only get part of the money.”
Robert – “The ransom note.”
Celine – “Right. Anonymous. Robert my father knows who you are.”
Robert – “Oh, I never thought of that.”
Celine – “You are the worst kidnapper I’ve ever met.”
Celine – “You have the demeanor of a man whose partner has left him for an aerobics instructor.”
Celine – “Don’t ever go into the woods with a stranger.”
Robert – “I know. You’re right.”
Celine – “I’m always right. You might like to remember that.”
Robert – “I thought we agreed, no cliches.”
O’Reilly – “Human f*cking beings. What do you have to do?”
Jan
Following is additional information about the show that contains spoilers. If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read any further.
Terrific scene, when Jackson takes Robert out into the woods and has him dig his own grave before he shoots him. I love how Robert argues back, asking why he should have to dig if he’s just going to be killed anyway. I also like Jackson trying to have a philosophical discussion with him while he digs.
I liked when Robert discovered where the angels were holding Celine and he goes to rescue her. First arguing with Jackson on whether it was ok or not to hit O’Reilly since she had a gun. Then trying to tell Celine that he loves her, all the while fighting with Jackson (who was so much bigger than him). It’s a funny scene.
