The Score | Angela Bassett, Marlon Brando | "The Score" really scores!

The Score | Angela Bassett, Marlon Brando | The Perfect Combination

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The Score

	The Score Angela Bassett, Marlon Brando Paramount, 2001 average customer review:based on 181 reviews view larger image
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"The Score" really scores!

Anything Robert DeNiro does has to be tops and always worth watching. "The Score" is one of the tops of the tops. DeNiro is superbly rational and fearsome, Ed Norton was a relative newcomer in this movie and with all that talent will be a star for years to come. An added plus is Marlon Brando in his last movie role, and he was, as always, great - and always Marlon. A super treat, even if it did come out years ago. An edge of your seat thriller, without all the gratuitous violence so loved by producers as a coverup for bad movies. This is not a bad movie - it stands on its own as a wonderful entertainment.

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The Perfect Combination

Until this film, I'd never heard of Edward Norton. He is an exceptional actor and I have since discovered him in "Primal Fear" (even better than "The Score").

DeNiro and Norton make the perfect team; young turk vs. old pro, combining their talents to pull off one last major heist. The story line, the exceptional acting and the superb use of understated music and sound make for an outstanding thriller-drama. Don't even hesitate buying this (or anything Edward Norton is in) on DVD.

A "Heist" Film At Its Best

While I'm not going to tout THE SCORE as an Oscar-worthy masterpiece, it is certainly one of the best "heist" films that I have seen in a long time. THE SCORE does everything right: it allows its incredibly talented acting performances to become the central focus of the movie and not the high-tech gadgetry that are the staple of cheaper thrillers. To be sure, THE SCORE is not without technology, but what makes this film "pop" is the fact that we are drawn into the plot by De Niro, Brando, and the absolutely fantastic performance of Norton. As in PRIMAL FEAR, Norton plays a split-role, doubling as both an overeager thief and a mentally-challenged night janitor (a role he adopts in order to gain access to the high-security facility). His performance is, as always, very impressive and certainly above-par for "heist" films.

While some have complained of the slow pacing, I did not find it slow at all. In fact, I enjoyed the slow build-up. The first time you watch this movie, you will be wondering to yourself: "How on earth are they going to get into that impenetrable safe?" It will keep you guessing right up until the very end. And just when you think you have a grip on the entire plot, it will twist on you. I love it when films do that to you and THE SCORE does it in spades. And the fact that the director has the patience to let the film build without going for cheap-thrills is a testament to his ability.

Once again, I'm not arguing that THE SCORE is the best movie I've seen lately. But it is very much an entertainig thriller that is worth a look. You will enjoy the action, the effects, and all of the usual things one finds in a "heist" film. But you will also be surprised by the good acting. I highly recommend it.

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Should have been called "The Snore" instead

This movie starts out slooooowwwwww....and stays slow for at least an hour. They definetly did not need to make the movie as lengthy as they did. I think about an hours worth could have been left on the cutting room floor. But the acting was pretty good, and I liked the ending too. And there was definetly some good suspense that had me holding my breath. I just recommend keeping your finger on the FFWD button for those slow as molasses moments where there is no dialogue or real action anyways... just Robert Dinero walking around town, etc. I would recommend this if you have patience and aren't expecting a lot of action or special effects.

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THE SCORE: DEAD HEAT

THE SCORE has a pretty impressive pedigree: Oscar winners Robert DeNiro and Marlon Brando; Oscar nominees Edward Norton and Angela Bassett; Oscar winning composer Howard Shore. Under the astute direction of Frank Oz, THE SCORE is an intelligently made heist film. Unfortunately, the only performance that goes beyond the conventional is Norton's. As egocentric young Jack Teller, Norton actually plays a double role: that of Jack and also of Brian, a seemingly retarded young man who works as a janitor at the Montreal Customs House. Norton is perfect as the cordial, friendly young man who uses this ruse to find the location of a rare French scepter smuggled into Canada via a piano leg. DeNiro is the veteran thief out to do one last score before settling down with his girl Angela Bassett and his nouveau jazz club. Brando huffs and puffs his way through the role of DeNiro's compatriate who enlists his aid in stealing the scepter. THE SCORE is like its jazzy background score: smooth, silky, but ultimately bland and derivative. Bassett is wasted in her role, and DeNiro merely seems to be playing himself. As for Brando, any actor could have played the role just as well. It is the combination of these actors, however, and especially Norton's bravura that makes THE SCORE entertaining in spite of its blandness.

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