Customer Reviews

The Lookout

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(47)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"The Lookout" got overlooked when it was released earlier in the year. This unusual thriller directed and written by Scott Frank focuses as much on character as it does on the tense, moody atmosphere. Chris (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)had it all; he was a bright kid who also displayed talent in the hockey rink. Chris, his girlfriend and another couple are involved in a terrible car accident that leaves Chris brain damaged. He's unable to do anything more than simple tasks and can't even remember what change he should get back after buying a beer.

SPOILERS AHEAD**

When Chris gets sucked into a plan to rip off the bank where he is a janitor by smooth talking slime ball Gary Spargo (Mathew Goode), he finds himself over his head and with nowhere to turn. Initially Chris believes this will provide him with the start up money for a business he wants to start with his blind roommate Lewis (Jeff Daniels)but things spiral out of control and suddenly he has nowhere to turn.

END OF SPOILERS**

The film looks terrific with a crisp and detailed transfer to DVD. Audio sounds solid as well. The main extras we get here are a terrific commentary trackby writer/director Scott Frank discussing the making of the film and a 20 minute featurette that covers much of the same ground with cast and crew interviews. Scott discusses how the script had been shuffled from one studio to another as he watched in frustration eventually deciding he had better do it himself. Frank is rather blunt about his shortcomings as a director in the commentary track but honestly he did a terrific job on his first time in dual roles as writer & director.

We also get a 9 minute featurette with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and director Frank discussing the development of the character of Chris. Gordon-Levitt reveals that he did quite a bit of research prior to shooting the film on the mentality disabled.

You should be on "the lookout" for this fine film which got lost earlier amid some of the other films released at the same time. Although not perfect, "The Lookout" has strong performances and is well made by first time director Frank. I'm not surprised that the film got lost though as it isn't the type to lend itself to the hype machine of Hollywood as easily as, say, "Transformers" or other blockbuster films. "The Lookout" is well worth picking up not only for its well written script and deft direction from Frank but also from the terrific performances of everyone in the cast.

Within the traditional crime drama genre, it has become increasingly difficult to find serious minded films that don't play as "hip and ironic." Add a young leading man to the equation, and it's twice as likely that you'll end up with a movie filled with artifice and self-awareness. In fact, reading the description of "The Lookout," I was sure that this picture would be just another film where clever one-liners were more important than generating actual suspense and drama. I couldn't have been more wrong! "The Lookout" is a tough and believable entry in the arena of heist films. Bolstered by a powerful lead performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, this film is both true to the conventions of crime genre and surprisingly different. The film succeeds with strong character development and provides an intriguing twist on the traditional protagonist.

Here, Gordon-Levitt plays a man coping with severe memory loss, control issues, and occasional motor skill inconsistencies. Sounds scary, huh? But don't worry, this is a real character dealing with real head trauma issues--not some cliche'd portrait or movie-of-the-week caricature. As a former "golden boy," Gordon-Levitt struggles to adjust to his disability. But he's also trying to cope with a monstrous grief--the car accident that impaired him (he was driving) also resulted in the death of two others. One day, he meets a mysterious stranger who claims to know him and seems to accept him in his present condition. Excited to belong, to be normal--he is drawn into a new world of friendship, women, and living life free and on the edge. But he soon questions the motives of his new friend as he is pulled into a plot to rob the bank in which he works. What follows is a hard edged story with real consequences--a riveting and suspenseful drama made even stronger by its attention to characterization.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt seems intent on becoming a serious thespian as opposed to just a big "star." With smart and unusual roles, he has certainly set himself apart from most actors in his age group. With "Mysterious Skin," "Brick," and now "The Lookout"--Gordon-Levitt has put himself on a short list of performers who can be counted on to make interesting choices. These diverse performances demonstrate a great versatility, a willingness to take chances, and (most importantly) the opportunity to really showcase what a great actor he has become. But "The Lookout" also benefits from a great supporting cast. Jeff Daniels gives an understated, humorous and quietly moving performance as Gordon-Levitt's blind best friend. And I found Isla Fisher ("Wedding Crashers") to be enchanting--complicit and innocent at the same time, what might have been a stereotypical role is refreshingly free of cliche.

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Lookout." One small note--the skeptic in me wondered how Gordon-Levitt was mentally (not to mention legally) able to handle a car due to his circumstances. In all honesty, it's unlikely that he would have been licensed based on what happened and on his current state of health. But it's a small point in an otherwise exemplary film. Smart, tough, and unexpected--"The Lookout" works as a caper, as a drama, and as a character study. A remarkably complex entry into what has become a fairly routine genre, this film packs an emotional punch and provides another great Gordon-Levitt performance! KGHarris, 03/07.

With his adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel, Out of Sight, Scott Frank demonstrated a knack for crime thrillers with plenty of plot twists and double crosses. Now, he's finally gotten the chance to direct his own movie and the result is The Lookout, a neo-noir that evokes other crime movies like Charley Varrick and Fargo.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt continues his knack for offbeat roles. He does a great job portraying someone with neurological damage and the frustration that comes from not being able to do simple things like opening a can of food or remembering someone's name. He also conveys the guilt his character feels over the car accident that robbed him of a promising future. We see how he tries to hide his disorder and the frustration of not being able to do basic things. It's a performance grounded in realism that is in contrast to this stylized noir world. It doesn't hurt that he is surrounded by cold, detached characters, and this makes him very sympathetic as well.

Jeff Daniels steals pretty much every scene he's in as Chris' genial roommate. The actor displays a dry sense of humour that is very funny to see in action. He and Gordon-Levitt's character make for very unlikely roommates to say the least but the two actors make it work thanks to the excellent chemistry they have together. Along with The Squid in the Whale and Good Night, and Good Luck, Daniels is turning out to be quite an excellent character actor appearing in several well-made independent films.

Frank has a keen visual sense, adopting a predominantly dark colour scheme in keeping with the neo-noir tradition. He has crafted a clever little thriller with a fascinating protagonist at its centre. What could have easily been a forgettable film is anchored by yet another riveting performance by Gordon-Levitt.

"Behind the Mind of Christ Pratt" features an interview with the film's star, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He was drawn to the complexity of the character and ended up living with the role for almost a year. He talks about how he portrayed Chris and speaks intelligently about his take on the material.

"Sequencing The Lookout" takes a look at various aspects of the movie: the script, casting, the look, and so on in an interesting way. Frank says that he was influenced by European thrillers that emphasized character. He talks about the origins of the story as well.

Finally, there is an audio commentary by writer/director Scott Frank and his director of photography Alar Kivilo. Frank isn't afraid to point out the mistakes he made as a first-time director. With Kivilo, their comments tend to be about filmmaking techniques like the cameras they used, the type of shots for a given scene and locations used. This could come across as kind of dull if you're not into the technical aspects of film.

This movie is so ominous that I wanted to fast forward at points. It is chilling and moving at the same time.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt continues his string of astonishing performances which began with Mysterious Skin. He completely disappears into his role here as a young man damaged by a brain injury caused by his own reckless driving. I have a friend who is brain-injured and Joseph is so believable that it is heartbreaking.

All of the performances are nuanced and believable. Jeff Daniels is thrilling as Joseph's blind roommate.

The script of this movie is flawless. You can tell right away that a writer is directing his own work---there is no fluff, no throw away moments.

Every single moment and pause in The Lookout rings absolutely true. Every character is fully-realized. Every choice by a character makes sense, no matter how scary it is. Every plot twist seems earned---all the way through the very moving ending.

I cannot recommend The Lookout highly enough. It is a small masterpiece.

...and one of its best films. Joseph Gordon-Levitt proves that his performance in "Mysterious Skin" was no fluke, and marks him as arguably the best actor of his generation. And Scott Frank should quite simply make more movies, end of story. (Also notable is Brit actor and future Watchman Matthew Goode, delivering yet another note-perfect supporting turn.) Shame more people didn't see this; I saw it during its one week run in Memphis as the only paying customer in the theater. Hopefully DVD will help it find the audience it deserves.

"The Lookout" is an unusual character study fitted into a heist film mold. Chris Pratt (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) was a star high school athlete with a bright future before a prom night auto accident left him with a traumatic brain injury. Now he gets through his daily routine only with the aid of notes and his roommate Lewis (Jeff Daniels). Four years after the accident, Chris works as a night janitor in a bank and aspires to be a teller. He is befriended by a man named Gary Spargo (Matthew Goode), who claims to be an old acquaintance. Gary flatters, cajoles, and gets Chris a girlfriend (Isla Fisher) in order to lure Chris into helping him rob the bank.

"The Lookout" takes too long to arrive at the meat of the story, but it does eventually get there. That's the only fault I find with this otherwise impressive directorial debut by screenwriter Scott Frank. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is one of the most charismatic actors working in film. Chris struggles with his limitations, with powerlessness, and most of all, with the aching memory of what he once was. And we root for him. Cinematographer Alar Kivilo has done a wonderful job of recreating the bleak Kansas winter landscape that accentuates Chris' isolation. Chris' cognitive problems are somehow a more compelling obstacle than thrillers or character dramas usually offer. Fans of both genres won't want to miss "The Lookout".

The DVD (Miramax 2007): "Behind the Mind of Chris Pratt" (9 min) primarily features Joseph Gordon-Levitt discussing Chris and how he prepared to portray someone with a brain injury. "Sequencing The Lookout" (20 min) interviews Scott Frank and the producers about the inspirations for the script, themes, and the actors. Production designer David Brisbin talks about locations in Canada, and the cast is interviewed. There is an audio commentary by writer/director Scott Frank and cinematographer Alar Kivilo. I am always grateful for commentaries by cinematographers, and this one is all about how and why the visuals were achieved. Lots of info about camera work, locations, sets, etc. Subtitles available for the film in English SDH, French, Spanish. Dubbing available in French.

Chris Pratt (a getting better with each role, Joseph Gordon- Levitt) was a golden boy: a high school Hockey star, an entitled child of wealthy parents. And then one night he decides, with 3 other friends, to seek out a shower of fire flies on an empty Kansan highway when tragedy strikes and he is rendered impaired both mentally and physically. His life is now more about "sequencing": ordering his life in such a way so as to recall what he needs to do on a daily basis in order to survive. Chris's golden sheen is tarnished, dented and made worse by the fact that, though his memory is spotty, he unfortunately can recall the high points of his young life: winning the hockey championship, cruising the highway in his convertible Mustang with his beautiful girlfriend, Kelly who survives the accident and appears every so often as a touchstone plunging Chris back to that fateful evening under a clear, Kansan night sky.
Chris works as a night janitor at a bank and it is this job that brings him in contact with some crooks (mainly an amazing, deadly Matthew Goode, heretofore known as eye candy in Mandy Moore movies...as Gary Spargo) who take advantage of Chris' impairments in order to rob the bank: "Whoever has the money, has the power," Gary intones and this mantra will echo throughout the film.
Director/Screenwriter ("Out of Sight") Scott Frank audaciously centers the "action" on the who's/the why's and the where fore's of Chris' search for his basic morality: he's not the man he was before, this much is clear, this much is unassailable. So who is Chris now and more to the point how will he allow the accident to dictate his future: will he let it swallow up all that is good and humane in him...or will he not?
"The Lookout" is an effective, nail-biting at times, little thriller filled with the minutiae of lives well observed particularly that of Gordon-Levitt's masterful Chris: behind a veil made from the opaque cloth of befuddlement and embarrassment, he manages to project vulnerability and the injured remains of an ego he can only periodically recall.

This is one of the best movies of the past year and if it wasn't released so early in the year would be generating Oscar type buzz. I finished watching this for the second time tonight and was just as blown away by this film as when I saw it in the theater.

Who would have thought Joseph Gordon-Levitt from Third Rock from the Sun could give such a brilliant film performance. He plays Chris Pratt, a former star high school hockey player, suffering from short-term memory loss as a result of a tragic car accident. Not only did the accident kill his best friend and his best friend's girlfriend, but ended his promising career.

Jeff Daniel's is not a favorite of mine, but he gives an equally brilliant performance as Chris's blind housemate. All of the supporting roles are cast perfectly with Isla Fischer delivering a surpisingly strong performance.

This movie resonated with me in a similar way that Memento did (for obvious reasons). I saw them both right when they were released and came away thinking about them for weeks after I saw them. The last 30 minutes of this film are absolutely riveting with Gordon-Levitt turning in a performance that is definitely Oscar worthy (even though I am certain the Academy will overlook him). A pure and simple gem of a film.

"The Lookout" got almost no "buzz" when it came out, but it's worth seeking out as a rental. It combines an intelligent script, fine acting peformances and good cinematography to yield a watchable, engrossing movie that develops slowly at first but finishes with some high-tension scenes. One of the better overlooked movies of 2007.

It's interesting to see how young actors grow over the course of their career (no, I'm not talking about their height), seeing how they hone their craft through each role they take. Take Joseph Gordon-Levitt, for instance, here's a young man whose biggest success in his career to date had been the 6 seasons he spent as Tommy Solomon on TV's hilarious sitcom "3rd Rock From the Sun". Since that time, and even some during his tenure on the show, Joseph has appeared in a few films, such as "The Juror" opposite Demi Moore and "Halloween: H20" opposite Jamie Lee Curtis, but most of his movie appearances were supporting roles with not a whole lot to do. In 2005, Joseph received critical acclaim for his work in the independent film "Brick" in which he was the lead actor, a role that may have led to his receiving the lead role in this film, the critically praised "The Lookout" opposite Jeff Bridges ("Blood Work") and Isla Fisher ("Wedding Crashers").

"The Lookout" is the story of Chris Pratt (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a young man who suffers from memory lapses due to a head injury sustained during a deadly car crash. In an effort to feel normal, Chris holds down a job as a night janitor at a local bank, he has aspirations of becoming a teller and moving up the ladder at the bank, but is constantly thwarted by his condition. Even though he feels depressed his blind roommate Lewis (Jeff Daniels) is constantly trying to help him get better day-by-day. One lonely night, a con man begins to take advantage of Chris' condition by luring him with the possibility of a better life; the catch is that Chris must help them rob the very bank he works for.

This movie looked intriguing when I first saw the previews, the story appeared to be interesting, and boasted a great screenwriter in Scott Frank (writer of "Minority Report" and "The Interpreter") pulling double duty as both writer and director for the first time. But as intriguing as the movie appeared I was a little unsure about the lead actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt. At the time all I had seen him in was "3rd Rock From the Sun" and a couple of his films that I listed above, so I didn't know if he really had enough of a serious side to his acting to carry off what appeared to be a relatively heavy role. Then I heard about how good Joseph's work was in the film "Brick", a movie that I have yet to see, but the critical praise was enough to inspire more confidence in him for this movie.

After watching "The Lookout" I can honestly say that my concerns over the possible lacking of versatility Joseph Gordon-Levitt may possess could not have been more wrong. Joseph does such an excellent job as Chris in this movie that you can't help but pay attention to him when he's on screen. To properly do justice to the character of Chris and his condition, Joseph spent ample time researching head injuries similar to the kind Chris suffered from, and those that were both milder and much worse, so that he would have a full appreciation for the affliction, in order to not make light of it. Jeff Daniels was terrific in the supporting role as Chris' blind roommate Lewis; he conveys Lewis' caring for Chris as both a friend and father figure. Matthew Goode and Isla Fisher are both solid as the two people primarily responsible for manipulating Chris to their plans, and both give subtle performances as the villains making their characters even more believable in the process.

The movie as a whole was well paced, opting for a slow-boil type of feel, as opposed to a high-octane actioner, which seems to be the standard for most Hollywood caper films ("The Italian Job"). I also found it interesting to see the great lengths writer/director Scott Frank went to in illustrating for the audience just how hard life is for Chris, how even the day to day tasks can be so frustrating for him, especially when he is able to remember his former life yet can never reclaim it. By showing how frustrating Chris' lot in life is to him, it's easy to see how through loneliness and despair it would be easy to be tempted by the prospect of a better life, even if the means are not quite legal. "The Lookout" is an extremely well done movie full of gripping drama and powerful performances.

"The Lookout" is rated R for violence, language, and sensuality.