Pelham 123
December 6th, 2009 by Max
You’ve heard the accolades for years. Denzel. Denzel. For a spot on performance check out Denzel Washington in “The Taking of Pelham 123″.
For those of you too young to remember. “The Taking of Pelham 123″ is a remake of “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three”, the classic Walter Mathau film from 1974. And even though this Pelham 123 is top notch, do yourself a favor and watch the original.
That said Director Tony Scott’s Pelham is a wild ride. Scott alternates tension and drama on the train and in the control room with rapid fire cuts of the city up top pounding the life of the city against the slow increasing pulse of tension of a hijacked subway car in a tunnel under Manhattan.
Another counterpoint, John Travolta’s wise wildman bad guy leader of a group of hijackers is played against the calm decency of Denzel’s even tempered, yet equally wise family man.
This movie grabs your pulse and drags you up a hundred beats, but it invades your mind as well. Who are these guys? Why are they the same? Why are they different?
John Turturo as a hostage negotiator feels more like a prop than a necessary part, but James Gandolfini as the mayor has an all time moment in a subtle almost throw away scene. As the about to retire mayor Gandolfini isn’t too sure that he wants to invest his soul in what seems like a police matter. Yet he is convinced by an aide to make a comment about this still unraveling event that has gripped the city. So he stops on his way into the train center to speak to the press. After some reassuring words to the crowd he starts walking again. And in a perfect example of our gotcha culture, and misplaced civic priorities, some bozo reporter asks the major about an extramarital affair. Gandolfini shoots him a look that says more than any 1000 words ever could. Small part, great acting.
And getting back to great acting there’s Denzel. Demoted due to the accusation of bribery Denzel as Walter Garber decently goes about his business while the rumors fly and all the while knowing he’s being investigated. Great backstory, handled subtly.
Travolta as “Ryder” plays a crazyman, or is he? An angry vengeful person plotting an ranting against the city that hurt him. He’s cold, deadly and wild, but seems to feel an affinity for Garber whom he sees as also mistreated by the city.
The interplay and contrast between the two make the movie. They do, and director Scott does.
One criticism I have is that I wonder if Travolta’s character, who is so over the top, is wholly consistent but to delve into that would reveal too much of the plot and perhaps is mere nit picking anyway.
“The Taking of Pelham 123″ is fast, and gripping and well worth your investment of time. Some scenes are way too violent for small children whom no doubt could be frightened by this movie.
But after you put the kids to bed, take this movie out and watch it for its pace, its drama, its acting. Its a guy movie your wife will like. And after you watch it. Ask each other “Did he do it?”
4 of 5 Smiling Maxes
Director:
Tony Scott
Brian Helgeland (screenplay)
John Godey (novel)
Release Date:
12 June 2009 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Thriller more
Denzel Washington … Walter Garber
John Travolta … Ryder
Luis Guzmán … Phil Ramos
Victor Gojcaj … Bashkim
John Turturro … Camonetti
Michael Rispoli … John Johnson
Ramon Rodriguez … Delgado
James Gandolfini … Mayor
Posted in Arts, Max's Movie Reviews, Video Rentals | 2 Comments »
December 6th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Do you think the Gandolfini scene is a homage’ to his Soprano’s work?
December 7th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Having never seen the Sopranos I cannot say. But you could imagine him thinking “I’m going into that crowd and pound that reporter asshole.” Then maybe “No, it wouldn’t be smart politics.” Then maybe “I’ve got more important things to do.” I’m not even certain you can see his hands, but you guess he’s balled up his fists. There’s so much in that one glare that this alone makes the movie worth it. But the decency and humanity of Garber is what ultimately you remember. I would have tweeked the ending just a bit, I would have toned down Travolta just a bit, so I can’t give it a 5.
But if you just saw the 30 second newsconference with Gandolfini, you’d have gotten your moneysworth!