NO GOOD DEED

US, 2002, 103 minutes. Colour.
Samuel L. Jackson, Milla Jovovich, Stellan Skarsgard, Doug Hutchison, Joss Ackland, Grace Zabriskie, Jonathan Higgins.
Directed by Bob Rafelson.

No Good Deed is interesting to watch from several points of view. It is based on a short story by Dashiell Hammett. It was directed by Bob Rafelson who began his career with The Monkees and the film Head, directed Jack Nicholson in five films including Five Easy Pieces, The King of Marvin Gardens, The Postman Always Rings Twice, Blood and Wine as well as the less successful Man Trouble. He also directed Mountains of the Moon and Stay Hungry. It has a very strong cast, Samuel L. Jackson always reliable as a detective, suffering from diabetes, about to go on a trip for musicians because he plays a cello, doing a good deed for a friend whose daughter is missing – and ending up imprisoned for most of the day by a strange gang who are planning a bank robbery. The leader is played effectively by Stellan Skarsgard. Doug Hutchison is a mentally disturbed young man. Joss Ackland is a racist World War Two pilot with Grace Zabriskie as his wife. Milla Jovovich is very effective as the femme fatale, trapped in this world, manipulating all the men, becoming affectionate for Jackson – but with mixed motives.

The film’s title indicates that no good deed is left unrewarded – but there is an irony as we watch this particular version.

1. A police story? A bank robbery story? A hostage situation story? Femme fatale story? A satisfying combination?

2. The American city, the streets, the banks, the highways to Albany, to the Canadian border? Contrasting with the interiors, especially the interior of the house, the room where Jack Friar was held? The bank sequences? The musical score?

3. The opening with Jack, playing the cello, about to go to the conference? His neighbour coming, asking for his help? His reluctance? Yet following through, the photo, asking people in the street? The encounter with Mrs Quarre, her collapse on the steps, inviting him in, offering a cup of tea? Mr Quarre’s racist comments and Jack being uncomfortable? The irony that they were involved in the bank robbery – and the change for his day? His losing the photo as he went into the house with Mrs Quarre’s groceries?

4. His explanation to the Quarres about what he was doing, policeman, Mrs Quarre listening politely? Quarre’s comments? The irony of what they were doing? Hoop coming in, his tying up Friar after hitting him? Friar becoming hostage?

5. Tyrone behind the scenes? The mastermind, not letting himself be seen? Erin, her place in the group, her coming in, Friar seeing her?

6. The day proceeding, watching the television? David and his arrival, Mrs Quarre putting him off, Erin going out, her seductive manner? Reassurance for the plan? That it should take place immediately?

7. Erin left behind with Jack? Her various moods, her back-story, with the group? With Tyrone, her toe being cut off? Her playing the piano? Untying Jack? His playing the cello? The possibility for his escape? His taking the phone off the hook to ring, caught? The phone engaged all day?

8. Hoop and his madness, Tyrone controlling him? The Quarres despising him?

9. The plan for the bank robbery? The Quarres and their going to the airport? Hiring the plane? Quarre as a pilot? Their waiting, the rain, the sexual encounter in the plane?

10. David Brewster, at the bank, seduced by Erin? His role with the robbery? Tyrone coming into the bank, pretending to be blind? Hoop and the electronics, the blackout? Tyrone and his meeting the manager, insisting on the transfers? Leaving the bank?

11. David and his wanting to see Erin? His travelling to his house, the run off the road? Being picked up by Tyrone in the car? The return? Being given fifteen minutes with Erin? Hoop and his madness, the attack on David, killing him? Erin and her having promised to go off with Hoop?

12. The return to the house? Hoop and his treatment of Jack? Jack having untied his bonds? His attacking Hoop, Hoop’s death?

13. Tyrone? Jack and his bargaining with him? Driving to Albany? Erin and her having to change her plan?

14. The arrival of the Quarres? Seeing Hoop dead? Their attack, their both being shot?

15. The drive? The difficulties, the roadblocks? Jack using his siren, bypassing? Going to Albany, going to the banks, collecting the cheques? The decision to go to the border? Jack and his manipulation of Tyrone? The shotgun and the shot in the back of the seat? Erin and her trying to make up her mind? Tyrone and his being chased by the police, shot?

16. Erin, imprisoned? The discussions with Jack? Her proposal about the money? His letting her go? Her walking up the road – and Jack giving the order that she be arrested?

17. Jack, his good deed, the repercussions? The dangers because of his diabetes, needing some sugar, Erin going to the house to get his insulin? His surviving? His integrity? The final scene of him playing the cello?