Flawless Review
by dnb@dca.net (dnb AT dca DOT net)April 1st, 2008
FLAWLESS
A film review by David N. Butterworth
Copyright 2008 David N. Butterworth
** (out of ****)
Between the two of them, Michael Caine and Demi Moore have appeared in over 175 movies but only once--as far as I can tell--together (1984's "Blame it on Rio," the sleaziest pedophile sex comedy of the decade!). On the strength of their latest film "Flawless," it'll probably be another quarter of a century before someone decides to re-team them for a third time.
That opener implies that "Flawless" is a total dud and it isn't. But it sure lacks sparkle.
An unexceptional diamond heist picture cut from the same discarded remnants of infinitely superior movies featuring the illegal removal of priceless art, artifacts, and/or antiquities (not to mention jewels), "Flawless" is not without its flaws--the gem analogies are endless... and irresistible! For one thing, the film focuses its attentions on the look and feel of the period (London in the swinging '60s) rather than on the rather un-diabolical plot to rob London Diamond of its wealth of uncut stones. This means Moore gets to prance around ala Julie Christie in period costume--classic Chanel-style suits that keep our favorite "Striptease" artist uncommonly modest.
Caine, on the other hand, plays a janitor at the prestigious Lon Di exchange. As coveralls haven't changed a whole lot over the years, he doesn't get to join in the dress-up fun.
But Laura Quinn (Moore), the only female member of staff and a highly competent one at that, has been passed over for promotion more than a few times and that sexist fact isn't wasted on Mr. Hobbs (Caine). So much so that when a botched deal with the Russians number Laura's days with the firm, Hobbs proposes an outrageous scheme that can benefit the two of them, a scheme that involves smuggling out a thermos full of precious gems--about a million pounds worth each, he figures.
So there's an element of revenge in here too. Plus Hobbs appears to be harboring an additional motive, other than just the riches, for perpetrating such a risky caper. He's about to retire after all, and while his corporate pension isn't much to squeal about it has to be better than life--the absolute rest of it--in the pokey.
Perhaps the most intriguing ingredient of the film plays under its opening credits, when we witness a likely rock go from South African mud to Beverly Hills finger in a matter of minutes. The whole process of locating, selecting, sorting, grinding, sanding, mounting, polishing, and presenting whets our appetite for intrigue of a devilishly detailed kind, but Michael Radford's film never really delivers.
Moore pops in and out of accent with distracted spontaneity--she's an American executive living and working in England but even so--and Caine, an Anglo Energizer Bunny, rarely rises above the material; he can play these kinds of roles while patting his head *and* rubbing his tummy! The problem is with the material itself. Edward Anderson's script, while serviceable, just isn't special enough.
Or, to use another well-worn diamond analogy, you could say that "Flawless" lacks luster.
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David N. Butterworth
dnb@dca.net
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Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
