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 THE
SCORE
The
Score stands out in my mind because it presents characters I could
know and perhaps even have met. These are not flat one-dimensional
crooks, especially DeNiro?s Rick.
Review by BETTY HAMM |
THE SCORE
This
page was created on July 18, 2001
This page was last updated on May 22, 2005
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CREDITS
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 Directed
by Frank Oz
Story by Daniel E. Taylor and Kario Salem
Screenplay by Kario Salem, Lem Dobbs and Scott Marshall Smith
Robert
De Niro .... Nick Wells
Edward Norton .... Jackie Teller/Brian
Marlon Brando .... Max Baron
Angela Bassett .... Diane
Gary Farmer .... Burt
David L. McCallum .... Rich Man
 Produced
by Gary Foster (producer), Adam Platnick (executive producer), Lee
Rich (producer), Bernie Williams (executive producer)
Original music by Howard Shore
Cinematography by Rob Hahn
Film Editing by Richard Pearson
MPAA:
Rated R for language.
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There
are no partners in crime
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STUDIO
SYNOPSIS:
 Nick
Wells (Robert De Niro) has had enough. A meticulous, thoroughly
professional and highly successful international thief, Nick is
ready to retire from crime. He?ll settle down with his girlfriend,
Diane (Angela Bassett), and focus on running his legitimate business:
 a
Montreal jazz club. But Max (Marlon Brando), his fence, friend and
financial partner, has other plans for him.
Persuading
Nick to violate two of his most important rules ? always work alone
and never operate in the city where you live ? Max teams him up
with Jackie Teller (Edward Norton). A young, aggressive and talented
thief, Jackie needs Nick?s safe-cracking talents to make his first
big score:  a
prize worth millions locked behind the walls of Montreal?s Customs
House.
It?s
a volatile combination in which egos clash and sparks fly, but the
thrill of the heist has a grip on all three men, who won?t give
up no matter the risk of capture?or betrayal.
? 2001 Paramount Pictures
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REVIEW
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 by
BETTY HAMM bhamm@efcn.org
Movie Reviewer, Arts Director
Betty
is happily married and serves as the Arts Director at the Evangelical
Free Church, in Naperville. IL. (630)983-3232. She occasionally
has a Chic Flic Night at her home (see Fried
Green Tomatoes). She has an active interest in film. Some
of her reviews include:
Best in Show, Brothers,
Enemy at the Gates, Save
the Last Dance, See Spot Run,
Sweet November, Just
Visiting, Mummy Returns, and
The Tailor of Panama
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 The
Score is a film with a finely constructed plot liberally sprinkled
with action and suspense.
The
acting is superb ? but what else would one expect from talents
such as Brando, DeNiro and Norton?
I
found myself thinking about other films and shows I have seen
featuring a highly skilled thief with lots of toys.  The
Score stands out in my mind because it presents characters I could
know and perhaps even have met. These are not flat one-dimensional
crooks, especially DeNiro?s Rick. We watch his fears and struggles
with the high risks he takes.  We
watch his values challenged and his loyalties tested. Here is
a man with a great wardrobe, beautiful home, a terrific business
and a gorgeous girl friend. However, his lifestyle does not cause
one to envy him.
 The
film clearly shows that his criminal profession is taking a strong
toll. I believe that amid a compelling story we see a message
that our actions produce strong consequences.
 It
also shows that although sin may be highly tempting and enjoyable
for a season, it is very difficult to break free once the path
has begun. Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is good
will. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent
of the upright will flourish. There is a way which seems right
to a man, but its end is the way of death. ? Proverbs
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LOVED
THE MOVIE
Subject: The_Score
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001
From: Aidan
I absolutely
loved 'The Score'. Edward Norton's acting was fabulous, and of course
Robert de Niro played his role to perfection. I have to admit, the
ending caught me totally by surprise, which allowed to really enjoy
it. I never thought I would be cheering for a criminal, but I was
in this case. I was so thrilled when Nick Wells had out-thought
Jackie Teller. The movie does show the downside of crime in a big
way. Of the three criminals, none are content or secure. They are
constantly looking over their shoulders to make sure they aren't
being conned. What a terrible way of life!
LOVED
THE MOVIE
Subject: The Score
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001
From: Betty
Loved the movie,
but agree with another viewer, it was good, but not great. Robert
DeNiro was good, and appropriately complex, but it was Edward Norton
who brought tension to the film. Pushing, pushing, being aggressive
and yet agreeable, just in the nick of time -- or so you think.
Brando's character brought a certain amount of pathos, which showed
the vulnerability of crime -- and of betting on the "big" one to
dig you out from your troubles, that I liked. It helped underscore
the moral "risk" DeNiro's character was really taking. The ending,
which was immediately justifying and gratifying, on reflection,
only underscored the common perception that well-disciplined risk
is rewarded. This sentiment kind of goes against the adage - crime
doesn't pay.
GOOD
Subject: The Score
Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2001
From: AL
MY SON AND I
BOTH FELT THE SCORE WAS A GOOD, NOT AN EXCELLENT, MOVIE. I FELT
LIKE THE PLOT WAS A LITTLE TOO PREDICTABLE, BUT THE ACTORS WERE
EXCELLENT IN PORTRAYING EACH CHARACTER. THE CRITICS IN OUR LOCAL
PAPERS GRADED THE FILM MUCH HIGHER THAN I WOULD. IT DID HAVE A GOOD
MIX OF SUSPENSE, ACTION AND DIALOGUE.
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The Score ?2001 - Paramount Pictures - All
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