Lucky Number Slevin

Paul McGuigan's Lucky Number Slevin is one of a few original ideas that come out of Hollywood these days. The 2006 film is a unique crime thriller that boasts an excellent cast that includes Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, and beats actor winner Ben Kingsley. The films leads Josh Hartnett and Lucy Liu hold their own against the aforementioned acting heavyweights and the film maintains the interest of the audience.

The film's plot centers around Slevin Kelevra (Hartnett), an unemployed man who just arrived at his buddy, Nick Fisher's place in New York to crash until he gets back on his feet. Two rival crime bosses, The Rabbi (Kingsley) and the Boss (Freeman), each kid nap Slevin thinking he is Nick Fisher, a hitman who was recently killed by a fellow assassin named Mr. Goodkat. The Boss wants Slevin to kill the Rabbi's son, The Fairy, in response for the recent murder of his son. The Rabbi wants Slevin to pay hima $30,000 gambling debt owed by Fisher. Now Slevin is faced with the dilemma of having to kill the Rabbi's son and how to do it without getting bumped off by Goodkat.

The negative aspects of the film are an obvious ending that may have seemed like a twist to some. I however, was not surprised and expected the ending that ensued. One of the key aspects of a good thriller is great surprise twist. Obviously Luck Number Slevin failed in this category. At some points the film is also a little dull.

The positive aspect of the film is the cast. Freeman and Kingsley each deliver excellent performances. Kingsley's performance may have been the best in the entire film. Willis is great as Goodkat. Stanley delivers a good performance as the detective investigating Slevin's involvement withe crime bosses. Liu is excellent as the bubbly Lindsey.

The film's story captivates through the majority of the film. The audience is forced to guess ask questions like: What will happen? Who is Goodkat working for? and What will Slevin do? The film receives a B-.It is original but nothing exceptional or outstanding. The cast is great but the ending is predictable.