I am VEHEMENTLY in disagreement with this take. I think the characters are sketched just well enough so you can learn in. I heard some story that Del Toro took the script and crossed out half of his lines. Most of what you learn from him comes from the look on his face. The rest, probably in the conversation with James Caan, comes across as you learning just enough about these guys. Philippe fares worse by comparison, but almost anyone would -- this was peak Del Toro.
The plot seems convoluted (befitting a first-time director) but the idea of a couple of inept kidnappers stealing the wrong woman from a web of criminals plotting against each other is a pretty straightforward concept, buttressed by a really terrific cast.
Great breakdown! The story I'd always heard was that McQuarrie wrote the screenplay in a week and didn't really revise it, hence the unevenness... McConaughey would have been a great alternative but he would've been *too* cool in a certain way. I'm not the biggest fan of Phillipe but he did project this nasty-little-rat energy that I think works with the piece (even if he doesn't have fantastic chemistry with Del Toro).
I am VEHEMENTLY in disagreement with this take. I think the characters are sketched just well enough so you can learn in. I heard some story that Del Toro took the script and crossed out half of his lines. Most of what you learn from him comes from the look on his face. The rest, probably in the conversation with James Caan, comes across as you learning just enough about these guys. Philippe fares worse by comparison, but almost anyone would -- this was peak Del Toro.
The plot seems convoluted (befitting a first-time director) but the idea of a couple of inept kidnappers stealing the wrong woman from a web of criminals plotting against each other is a pretty straightforward concept, buttressed by a really terrific cast.
Fromtheyardtothearthouse.substack.com
Great breakdown! The story I'd always heard was that McQuarrie wrote the screenplay in a week and didn't really revise it, hence the unevenness... McConaughey would have been a great alternative but he would've been *too* cool in a certain way. I'm not the biggest fan of Phillipe but he did project this nasty-little-rat energy that I think works with the piece (even if he doesn't have fantastic chemistry with Del Toro).