OCEAN’S THIRTEEN
US, 2007, 123 minutes, Colour.
George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Carl Reiner, Eddie Jemison, Elliott Gould, Shaobo Qin, David Paymer, Eddie Izzard.
Directed by Steven Soderbergh.
Television channels trot out the original Oceans 11 whenever one of the new Oceans films appears. Probably a bad move except for curiosity, as the 1961 film moves so slowly for modern sensibilities and Frank Sinatra does not seem so charismatic and that Peter Lawford seems a stuffed shirt – though the screen does brighten up whenever Dean Martin turns up.
The remake was an extravaganza of a caper, again with a star cast, but with wittier dialogue and lots more technology to play with. Oceans 12 seemed self-indulgence on the part of the director and cast who hopped off to Europe for a sometimes incomprehensible plot and for mutual amusement which it was often difficult to share.
But, with the return to Las Vegas for Oceans 13, there is a tighter plot (which, however, with the instant arrival of desired equipment, including (twice) a huge tunnel digger that was used for the Channel tunnel – from the French side – with the range of computer technology at work, with instant communications and seemingly unlimited resources of income to pay for anything at a moment’s notice, it is a plot very difficult to summarise, let alone comprehend). But, plot isn’t everything. By focusing on Las Vegas and a clearly defined caper, this film gains in atmosphere and tension.
The cast is good with no one dominating. George Clooney is still the smooth Danny Ocean and leader but not outshining the rest. Brad Pitt is still the grinning planner and Matt Damon is effectively comic as the uptight Linus who finally gets a chance to cut loose, at least a little and for a moment. Don Cheadle has tones down his absurd Cockney accent. Everybody in the team gets a chance to star and do a set piece. Carl Reiner in his mid 80s enjoys putting on a false British accent to con the casino manager and Elliot Gould has to play victim of heart attack as well as of fraud.
This film also works well for its focused villain – and Andy Garcia’s Terry Benedict the 11’s first victim is back to land a hand. But Al Pacino is hard to beat as an egotistical, ruthless builder of casinos who defies everyone to bring him down. Ellen Barkin is his strict assistant who suddenly lets go of her primness.
So, it is all glitzy, high-powered, clever, glamorous and good-humoured. The two leads’ eyes moisten as they watch Oprah, but Oprah is a good sport and provides a nice ‘charity’ ending at Terry Benedict’s expense.
A word of praise must be given to David Paymer as the put-upon inspector of hotels who proves he is a good sport – and fully deserves his happy ending.
1.The popularity of the first two films in the series? Popular crime caper? The stars?
2.The importance of technology, combined with ingenuity?
3.The popularity of the cast, the individuals, their styles? Combining as a team?
4.Audience knowledge of the group, the personalities, their achievements in the previous films? The familiarity and enjoyment?
5.The big caper, work done by the group, their individual skills, motivation, the good humour – and money going to charity? The introduction of Oprah Winfrey – and Danny and Rusty enjoying it, a tear? The final interview with Benedict? The money to charity?
6.The initial robbery, Rusty interrupted, his mobile phone, the call, his leaving it? The story of Reuben, his going to Willie Bank, the discussions, thinking that he was partner, Bank and his ruthlessness, the conning him out of everything, the manoeuvring? Reuben’s collapse, in hospital? The group taking the decision to get vengeance on Bank?
7.Reassembling, the range of personalities, the reintroduction, the various jobs during the caper, the allotment?
8.Willie Bank and Al Pacino’s style, the egomaniac, the complete ruthlessness, the attention to detail in the hotel, the supervision, firing people, with Miss Sponder? His vanity, his awards, the diamonds? His becoming the target?
9.The advice from the computer expert, his being present later in the caper?
10.Danny, George Clooney, the lead, coordinator, his personality, the visits to Reuben in hospital, working with Rusty, relating to the rest of the group, making decisions, going to Terry Benedict to get him to join the plan?
11.Rusty, Brad Pitt’s jokey style, plans, his easygoing manner, the various disguises and participation?
12.Matt Damon as Linus, serious, his hopes, lack of humour, the jokes, his false nose, with Miss Sponder, the romantic scene, changing the diamonds – and outwitting the Frenchman? His father turning up to rescue him?
13.The brothers, their work together, Virgil going to Mexico to work in the plastic plant, his getting enthusiastic about social conditions, joining the protests, the revolution? His brother going down to help him? Joining in, their throwing bombs? The resolution of the industrial problems? Their being smart, their timing and the rest of the caper, their bickering?
14.Basher Tarr and his accent, his digging under the casino, getting the channel tunnel digger – from the French side? His impersonation of the daredevil and confronting Bank?
15. Saul Bloom, his age, his plan to disguise himself as the hotel reviewers, ingratiating himself with Willie Bank – and the comeuppance?
16.The real hotel reviewer, the gang organising difficulties for him, his room, the smell, the ants in his bed, his rash, not being allowed into the restaurant, being ousted from his room – but his final win at the airport slot machine?
17.Yen, Chinese background, acrobatics – his unwillingness, going through the elevator shaft?
18.Frank Catton, his larger-than-life personality, his performance in the casino, at the tables, being offered the job, Terry Benedict and the set-up for badgering Mr Bank?
19.Miss Sponder, tough, the loyal assistant, arranging everything, harsh decisions? Her being fascinated by Linus – and the treatment with the Chinese in the car, his haughty manner, the room? Linus and his nose? The bedroom scene – and the robbing of the diamonds?
20.The authorities, coming to the casinos for checking? Livingston and his attempts to get the card games fixed, his arrest? The changing of the faces on the computer when his associates came up? Basher and his keeping Bank occupied?
21.Terry Benedict, his being a victim in the past, the proposal that he join the plan, his wanting the diamonds? His hiring the French thief? The loss of the diamonds, the helicopter taking them away? Being forced to go onto the Oprah Winfrey show to give the money away to charity?
22.All the popular ingredients for a Hollywood entertainment?
