This Movie is – Not Rated
Jinx (Nick Stahl) is just a normal guy that accidently gets caught up in a bank robbery. There are only 3 other main characters in the movie Simon, Jessica and Officer DeGepse; everyone else is pretty much just background. The location of the characters remains static throughout most of the film; which could mean disaster to a movie. However, this is anything but the case.
This is a fun film. The dialogue is witty and fast paced. The characters are interesting and the actors did an amazing job. There are many twists and turns as the story unfolds. The way the movie is filmed keeps it visually interesting. The cuts between the 3 locations are done in a creative manner.
Nick Stahl is great. Bear in mind, this is a very dialogue heavy film, with a lot of exposition at times. Nick was able to pull it off; making it seem totally natural (not like he was giving a speech). He has great timing/rhythm and body language. His monologue at the beginning is wonderful.
Jessica (Erika Christensen) is a strong willed; take charge kind of person. It seems that she is used to being on her own and having to take care of herself. There is a definite power struggle (and trust issues) between her and Jinx. I love the dynamic and the banter between those two characters.
Simon is played by Gavin Rossdale. I knew him as the singer from “Bush” and “Institute” but had never seen him act. I had been to a “Bush” concert and found he was a good frontman, but that doesn’t always translate well to acting. However, I was pleasantly surprised. He was terrific. In addition to his lovely British accent (oh how I love my British accents), he can actually act.
Some funny scenes:
Jinx repeatedly hanging up on Simon.
Simon “flipping off” Jinx through the vault door.
Cell phone cutting out and Jinx having to awkwardly stand on a chair to get reception. Of course they had to do the whole “can you hear me now” thing.
During the bank robbery, Simon and Roger calmly discussing whether Simon’s new meds are working for him (they are for anxiety/panic).
Officer DeGepse “flipping off” his cell phone.
Some of my favorite lines:
Jinx – “I would love to accommodate you, really. All except for the seeing me dead part.”
Simon – “Just go pretend to guard the guard”
Jinx – “This oh so solid plan of yours just went south didn’t it”?
Simon – “Ok we do have one small dilemma quite similar to the one you just described.”
Nick – “And a tactical analysis … what would that currently be?”
Simon – “F*cked”
Simon – “The way I figure it is 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing and frankly nothing is all I’ve got right now.”
Jinx – “But I didn’t ask to be locked in this frickin’ vault. All I ever wanted was my 20 bucks.”
Simon – “F@ck, F@ck, F@ck, F@ck, F@ck, F@ck, F@ck, F@ck”
Random Cop – “I told you they were trying to tell us something with the whole chucking the cell phone at your head thing”.
Jan
Following is additional information about the movie that contains spoilers. If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read any further.
Jinx putting Simon and Officer DeGepse on a 3-way call and mediating between them. The interaction between them was great.
Jinx being stuck in the vault and having to pee desperately. Jessica opening a safe deposit box for him to relief himself in. It is equally awkward and funny.
When Simon’s cell phone battery dies, he runs outside to throw it and it bounces off Officer DeGepse’s head. That just never gets old. I laugh until tears run down my face; every .. single .. time.
Such a touching moment when Jessica tells Jinx that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for her.
Love the way the ending was filmed; it was visually stunning.
