“No Sudden Move” / Z-View
Stars: Don Cheadle, Brendan Fraser, Benicio Del Toro, Kieran Culkin, David Harbour, Jon Hamm, Ray Liotta, Bill Duke, Craig muMs Grant, Julia Fox, Amy Seimetz and Matt Damon.
Tagline: Trust is a set-up. The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…Three low level crooks who don’t know each other are hired for a mysterious, high-paying job. Curt Goynes (Cheadle) and Ronald Russo (Del Torro) each need the money from the score to get out of town. Goynes has stolen important papers from one of the major crime players in the area and Russo is sleeping with his crime boss’ wife. The job seems easy enough. Goynes and Russo will hold Matt Wertz’s (Harbour) family hostage while the third man (Culkin) takes Wertz to collect something from his boss’ safe.
When things go sideways, Goynes and Russo realize that they’ve been set-up to be murdered with the Wertz family. Both men are already on the run from their former alliances and now learn that there is a price on their heads. Having just met, Goynes and Russo form an uneasy alliance and try to figure out their next move. What follows is an intelligent story full of double-crosses, twists and an ending that is surprising and satisfying.
I have nothing but praise for No Sudden Move. It has an intelligent screenplay by Ed Solomon which is extremely well directed by Steven Soderbergh. It is rare to see a film with so many stars that is perfectly cast. Cheadle, Del Toro, and Liotta are at the top of their game as to be expected. David Harbor is spot on as the man in over his head with his wife, his job, and his mistress. It was great seeing Brendan Fraser in a role that will surprise many. The same is true for Bill Duke! And don’t forget there is an uncredited role that is pivotal to the entire film!
It isn’t often that we get a film so perfectly written, cast and directed. No Sudden Move is that rare film made for adults — it assumes the audience isn’t dumb and it doesn’t rely on special effects. I absolutely loved No Sudden Move.
