The Score
Review by By Clint Morris
 If
someone asked you to name half a dozen of the greatest movie
stars, chances are Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando would
be on that list. Both graduates of "The Godfather"
school of exploit and high opinion, De Niro and Brando have
remained atop of the A list since their heyday. A second question
asking you to select some of today's best actors and I almost
guarantee that you'll cite Edward Norton in there.
I can almost picture the smile on Director Frank Oz's face
when not only De Niro and Brando, but Norton, all signed on
for "The Score". Let's face it though folks. De
Niro, Brando and Norton could merely be dressing for a Turkey.
Fortunately, it's not true.
"The Score" of the title refers to a thorny but
profitable crime that professional thief Nick Wells (De Niro)
is mulling over. In spite of the risks, Nick agrees to do
the job, but as long as he remains boss. He still has his
reservations though. One being his new partner, an "inside
man" named Jack Teller (Norton). Additionally, he is
starting to suspect his fence and financial partner Max (Brando)
is keeping something from him, and when it appears that the
object they're trying to steal - a French national treasure
- is about to be moved, this gold-digging team has to set
the plans in motion much sooner than they anticipated.
Here's a clever movie. It's not only exciting and tense,
but it doesn't insult its audience with rehashed clichés
and characters. Marlon Brando underplays his role, but it's
a minimal role so further exploration would prove unnecessary.
As Nick, De Niro - naturally - mesmerizes and almost steals
the movie with his part of the crook with a conscience (not
unlike the character he played in Michael Mann's "Heat").
The movie belongs to Edward Norton though - he's an unmatchable
talent, almost putting to shame the two veterans he is supporting.
From his unauthentic cover as a retarded man to the slick
cocky swindler he is, Norton commands the screen.
For a man that's best known to direct comedies, director
Frank Oz (Bowfinger, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) proves himself
commendable of the thriller genre. He may have more than a
few plot holes in his tale (especially near the film's finale)
but some clever scripting, tight editing and unnerving suspense
are perfect putty for the film's inconsistencies.
4 out of 5
The Score
Australian release: Commences November 29th
Cast: Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Marlon Brando, Angela
Bassett.
Director: Frank Oz.
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