Flickering Myth’s writing team pick out those hidden gems you might have missed; next up is
Robert D. Spake…
The Lookout, 2007.
Written and Directed by Scott Frank.
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jeff Daniels, Matthew Goode, Isla Fisher, Carla Gugino, Alex Borstein and Laura Vandervoort.
SYNOPSIS:
Chris is a once promising high school athlete whose life is turned upside down following a tragic accident. As he tries to maintain a normal life, he takes a job as a janitor at a bank, where he ultimately finds himself caught up in a planned heist.
With the UK release of Don Jon only a few weeks away I thought I’d use this feature to recommend one of Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s earlier films. His career has exploded in recent years with (500) Days of Summer, Inception, The Dark Knight Rises and now he’s written and directed his own film, cementing his place as one of the most all-round talented performers today (from what I’ve heard Don Jon is very good). However, his talent has been evident for a long time and he shines in The Lookout.
In the film he plays Chris, a promising high school student who becomes involved in a tragic accident that affects his ability to remember things. Due to this condition he scribbles notes down to try and keep track of his life, and he relies on his blind flatmate to help him. Because of Chris’ condition he can’t have a job with too much complexity so he works as a cleaner at a bank during the night. Eventually a gang notices him and he becomes involved in a bank heist. It can take a little while to get going but JGL’s performance will draw you in completely, and the tragic beginning lays the foundation for a redemptive undercurrent that carries on through the whole film. JGL’s strength is that he conveys this fractured vulnerability, investing us in his character as we witness the inevitable events unfolding and we feel completely powerless as we can’t do anything to help him.
The other actors are another reason why I’m a fan of this film. Jeff Daniels gives a moving performance as the blind friend, and the chemistry between the two of them feels genuine and warm, providing a very authentic and heart-warming grounding. Isla Fisher also gives a very complex performance. She’s the type of character you really want to like, but you know you shouldn’t. It also features people like Matthew Goode and Carla Gugino (both from Watchmen) Alex Borstein (Family Guy) and Laura Vandervoort (one for the Smallville fans).
If you’re a fan of Joseph Gordon-Levitt then this is definitely a film you’ll want to check off your list. If you don’t really have any strong feelings about him either way then you’ll be getting a film that dramatically increases in tension as it progresses, and it may surprise you with how emotionally affecting it is. The direction is solid and if I remember correctly there are times when we’re plunged into the same uncertainty as Chris, and that only helps to get more immersed and more involved in the story. It’s quite an inventive take on a bank heist too and it’s one that I think really deserves a wider audience.
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Originally published October 4, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
