The Score (2001, De Niro, Brando) – Classic Film Review 908

Three acting greats — Robert De Niro, Edward Norton and Marlon Brando — are lined up for director Frank Oz’s thrilling and stylish 2001 heist film.

It’s set in Montreal, where a priceless ancient sceptre is locked away in the customs house. Canny young crook Jack Teller (Norton) tricks master cracksman Nick Wells (De Niro) into joining his plot to steal the sceptre, with the help of criminal mastermind Max (Brando).

It’s great to see Brando still cutting it in his first real acting role in years, while De Niro and Norton hit the nail right on the head with clever turns, both subtle and showy.

The tale twists and turns, gets palm-sweaty tense, then delivers its exciting climax with total assurance.  There are no real surprises, except perhaps how brilliant it is. Angela Bassett, though, is wasted as De Niro’s love interest.

Brando is often considered the greatest movie actor of all time. He died on July 1 2004, aged 80.

http://derekwinnert.com/the-godfather-classic-film-review-2/

http://derekwinnert.com/apocalypse-now-classic-film-review-344/

http://derekwinnert.com/the-island-of-dr-moreau-1996-kilmer-brando-bad-movie-1/

http://derekwinnert.com/superman-classic-film-review-522/

http://derekwinnert.com/last-tango-in-paris-classic-film-review-377/

http://derekwinnert.com/on-the-waterfront-classic-film-review-351/

(C) Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Film Review 908 derekwinnert.com