The deal with action/crime movies it's quite complex, more when the objective is to put some drama on it. It's about finding a balance that doesn't include too much violence without taking it all out. It's about creating a story that makes sense and deals with human emotions, so we can care about characters. It's a very challenging goal, difficult t achieve. There must be, anyway, one movie that represents that perfect balance. I've heard "Goodfellas" is the perfect example (or haven't I)
I'll talk about that movie soon. The thing is, that while "No good deed" contains some of the elements required to become a good movie, it has another ones that make it stay behind.
The film tries to hard with the plot twists and it's just a way to waste the time recycling until they can finally get to the ending. There's too much violence and with no credible purposes to help the plot. The movie involves some of the typical things as the intelligent guy and brain, and another stupid man who depends on the brain, because if not he can't do things right. And let's not forget about the spicy ingredient that can't be absent and always works: the girl. What doesn't work is the sexual tension between the girl and (I forgot to mention it) the main guy; a cop, trying to make room for a love story, relating them both as the most important characters.
Bob Rafelson manages to keep us interested with his quick movements in a slow paced film. Writer Christopher Canaan manages to create situations that are motivating enough for the viewer, coming up with very original ideas and attractive supporting characters. Some obvious revelations that are not even revelations are samples of the weakness the film has (you know what the password is when they're trying to figure it out); that together with the lame edition bring this movie down.
This time they chose a very attractive young woman for the part of the girl. This was Milla Jovovich; very attractive and with the acting skills required for this specific job. She had no big problems to play Erin, always seemed comfortable and it looked like the role suited her. Stellan Skarsgard is at his best in Tyrone's skin. Relaxed and natural, he created a memorable character you won't feel bad hating; and that's possibly the best compliment for a villain. In the list of the stereotyped characters, the stupid guy Hoop is played coldly by Doug Hutchison; that guy who I didn't even like in "The Green Mile" and seems to be related to Kevin Spacey because of the way he looks. In a hero character away from clichés, Sam Jackson's Jack Friar brings the actor in top action form since his days in "The long kiss goodnight", "One eight seven" and most recently, "Shaft". A pleasure for me was to see the man in his groove again. Two lovable Grace Zabriskie (Mrs. Quarre) and Joss Ackland (Mr. Quarre), and an underused Jonathan Higgins (David) complete the supporting cast.
The movie succeeds, however, in the aspects we expect the least. It succeeds in character development; making its characters understandable in the situations they're involved and in the way they make their decisions. It explores personality aspects not many other films of this type explore, like the intense peace the main characters find in music; forgetting about everything else
When the movie begins, Jack is playing the cello; and we comprehend that's the only thing that eases him down
