LIFE OF CRIME
US, 2013, 93 minutes, Colour.
Jennifer Aniston, Yaiin Bey, Isla Fisher Will Forte, Mark Boone Jr, Tim Robbins, John Hawkes, Charlie Tahan.
Directed by Daniel Schechter,
Life of Crime is a very generic title for this kind of kidnapping fraud drama. It is based on a novel by Elmore Leonard, set in Detroit 1978, with the title, Switch, which may not be much better than Life of Crime.
This is a rather slight entertainment, something of an amusing diversion from more serious films.
We are introduced to 2 criminals, Ordell and Louis, played by Yaiin Bey (aka Mos Def) and John Hawkes. They have a big plan to abduct the wife of a real estate entrepreneur, Frank, played very smugly with the touch of brutality and dumb deceitfulness, by Tim Robbins. He is a golf champion, with many trophies – including, says he, his wife. She is played by Jennifer Aniston, the society wife, with a son, but lost in some bewilderment at the behaviour of her husband.
The abduction happens, though a friend of Mickey, the wife, turns up to make a move on her but finishes up knocked out. Some later comic and serious scenes with him. In the meantime, a room has been prepared for Mickey during her abduction, but she has to wear a mask to avoid seeing the kidnappers. Ordel and Louis enlist the help of a pot-bellied, rough-haired Nazi sympathiser expertly played by Mark Boone Jr to ensure complete audience antipathy – as well as the disgust of Mickey.
It does get rather complicated because Frank has said he was going to the Bahamas, but he didn’t, going instead to a little love nest with Melanie, Isla Fisher. The kidnappers seem to know all about his financial frauds and demand $1 million.
It gets even more complicated when Ordell goes to threaten Frank personally and Melanie wants to do a deal. But, the abduction experience does a lot for Mickey’s self-confidence and, as might be expected, tables are turned at the end. Hence, Switch (rather than Life of Crime).
Lightly entertaining while on screen – but a bit of in one eye and out the other!
1. The title of the film? Elmore Leonard’s title, Switch?
2. The popularity of Elmore Leonard, his novels, crime stories, the touch of the hard-boiled? Film versions of his novels?
3. Detroit, 1978? The wealthy, the country clubs? contrast with the poor? Richard and his Nazi affiliations? Louis and Ordell, their poorer world? The jaunty
and dramatic musical score?
4. The introduction to Louis and Ordell, talking over their plan, staging the confrontation, the alleged robbery, the setting up of the man, running him over, robbing him? Ordel and talk about niggers, the types, the black and the white?
5. The introduction to Richard, gross, pot-belly, his guns, the Nazi banners, racist? His father in the war? His preparing the room for Mickey?
6. Frank and Mickey, at the club, golf and his trophy, calling Mickey another trophy? His being drunk, driving, Mickey’s trying to get control, his crashing the car? His spurning her? Her bewilderment? The relationship with her son, driving, wanting to talk with him, his attitude towards his father? Frank and the details of the trip, the son going on the trip?
7. Frank and his plan, going to see Melanie, the sexy encounter, her being shrewd, he being less shrewd? Filing for the divorce? The story of all his frauds and getting the money in the Bahamas?
8. The kidnapping, Marshall turning up, bringing the drinks to the bedroom, their hitting him, locking him in, not sure whether he was dead not, sending Richard to check up? Marshall and his turning up and cleaning up, the encounter with Richard with his police badge, his escape in the car? His relationship with his wife, coming on to Mickey at the country club, his wife and family catching him at the phone, his intention to call the police?
9. Mickey’s mask, the others masked? Going to her room, settling in, the routines? Louis and his bringing the meals? Routine for the toilet? Richard, peeping Tom, Mickey using the cigarette butt of Richards eye?
10. The phone calls, Louis and Ordell knowing everything about Frank and about Melanie? The various phone calls, Melanie taking charge? Hanging up on the calls? Frank and his uncertainties? But planning to marry Melanie?
11. Ordell taking charge, going to the Bahamas, the discussions with Louis? His arrival, the deal, discussions with Melanie, her offering a deal? His ringing, Richard taking the call, for Mickey to go back home, but Richard to kill her? Richard and his attempt at rape? Louis stopping him? Richard and his guns, firing in the street, the police car hitting him, the siege, the official getting in the back of the house, shooting him dead?
12. Mickey, talking to Louis, not going home straight away, relaxing? Her suspicions, especially about Frank? Going home, the divorce papers, meeting Louis? Chatting with the ladies – explaining that she had been kidnapped for the week? Their not noticing? The encounter with Marshall, confronting him,
knowing that he did not do anything to help her? Telling him off?
13. Louis and Mickey going to the room, finding Ordell and Melanie, Frank coming in, Melanie being beaten? The masks and their plan to do further kidnaps?
