Media Maven: “The Lookout” Movie Review
"The Lookout"
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jeff Daniels. Matthew Goode, Isla Fischer
"The Lookout" is the most recent work from Joseph Gordon-Levitt. You may remember him as Tommy Solomon in the comedy TV series, "Third Rock From The Sun." We saw Joseph Gordon-Levitt grow up before our eyes as the youngest member of an alien family amidst a talented cast of actors. He accumulated unparallel skill in comedic timing, pratfalls and improvisation.
In a completely different venue, Joseph Gordon-Levitt brings that same tenacity and commitment to this role as a bewildered, brain-impaired young man coming to terms with his life. Once a high school star athlete, from a well-to-do family, destined for greatness, Joseph plays Chris Pratt, a lost soul, whose life is dictated by a little pocket notebook that reminds him daily to shower, report to his rehabilitation program and then on to his job as a janitor in a bank.
Chris Pratt is the underdog we root for. He's a true example of how bad things happen to good people. And we understand this. We dont pity him, but we do want him to succeed. Chris is placed in a housing program living with an older blind man. Jeff Daniels plays Chris confidante, friend and mutual protector. Known only as Lewis, Daniels brings a steadiness to the erratic behaviors and frustration of Chris character.
Not only do bad things happen to good people. Bad people take advantage of good people. Enter, Matthew Goode as a former classmate of Chris older sister. He befriends Chris and hooks him up with Isla Fishers character, Luvlee. Chris finally feels part of a group of people from his high school days.
It is while deeply involved/ensconced in a bank robbery that Chris realizes his circle of friends was really a devious way to trick him into being a lookout for a planned bank heist.
What this film has in its actors abilities to tell a chilling story is matched most exceedingly by the taunt script and raw, icy portrayals of people without consciences. This film marks a pivotal rite of passage for the young Joseph Gordon-Levitt. It marks a beguiling movie for anyone whos looking for a good story.
