Chris Pratt (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is an admired high school hockey player with a bright future. However his world is turned upside down – literally – when he foolishly takes a drive in the night with his girlfriend and two other pals with his headlights off.

The former athlete is left with a brain injury that prevents him from remembering many things for extended periods of time. To compensate, he keeps notes in a small notebook to aid him in remembering what he is to do. He also lives with a wise-cracking blind friend (Jeff Daniels) who helps him out. With the mental incapacitation, he is unable to have meaningful work.

That doesn't stop someone giving him employment as a night cleaning man in a bank. Indeed for the purposes of the plot, there doesn't seem to be any problem about him driving either, despite the fact he is responsible for the death of two friends through careless driving. Anyway, it is in the small-town bank that he comes under the scrutiny of a gang planning to rob the bank.

Enter smooth talking Gary Spargo (Goode) who somehow convinces Chris that he can give him his old life back. Frequent repetition of the line "Whoever has the money has the power" seems to play a key role in this. And the attentions of the improbably named Luvlie Lemons, a former exotic dancer under the control of Spargo.

Writer/director Frank has been responsible for some sharp dialogue down the years (Get Shorty). The Lookout doesn't quite rank alongside that and the plot, while slick and fast-moving, does beg a few questions (see employment/driving concerns above).

That said, Gordon-Levitt, who comes across like a young Keanu Reeves, holds the attention as the haunted young man desperate to win back his old life. Daniels just about steals the show as the comic relief who is just looking out for his buddy.

* Film seen courtesy of Eden Court Cinema (showing this week), box office: 01463 234234.

editor@rsjournal.co.uk

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend