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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