Domino

I just saw a sneak preview of Domino, followed by a Q&A with writer Richard Kelly. Kelly said that this whole film is "self-reflexive," and that it is supposed to be a satire of reality programming. However, it doesn't come off that way at all. Sure, there's a little satire in there. But the satire is so inconsequential, it ends up actually detracting from the force of the story. I don't know if Kelly just doesn't understand this movie, or what. Of course, it's not really his movie, as he freely admitted. It's Tony Scott's vision. And some of it works.

Mickey Rourke is in top form. However, I am very disappointed in how his character plays out. Just when he should really step up and show what he's all about, he fades away into the background. That was very disappointing. He's supposed to be the leader of this trio of bounty hunters. However, for the second half of the film, Domino is apparently in charge. This huge development is never explained or even acknowledged in the film. It really doesn't make any sense.

Also, the film has the makings of a slightly twisted love triangle, but unfortunately it is never fully realized. How the love theme plays out is wholly anti-climactic, unnecessary, and unconvincing.

Kiera Knightley does have some good moments here. She shows a lot of strength and courage. Still, her portrayal of Domino is often unconvincing. I don't think that is all her fault. I fault the direction and writing more than anything else.

Ultimately, I think the movie fails because of the style . . . that is, the plot and character development are too often sacrificed for the sake of style. Because of that, the film often seems a little ridiculous and occasionally nonsensical.

Richard Kelly said that it has to be viewed multiple times for all the subtleties to fall into place. I think he's completely wrong. This film is about as subtle as a sledgehammer.

On a more positive note, this film does have a few inspired moments. My favorite is a creative nod to the late Sam Kinison. So, if you like style over substance, this may be your favorite film of the year. If you prefer fully developed, complex characters, then you may want to skip this.

If you go to this movie expecting something it isn't, you will be disappointed, as with any movie. This movie contains what Hemmingway described as the "iceberg effect". On the surface, its simply a cache of random movie clips smashed together to make a movie. If this would be written in a book, it would be a short story, because the action in the movie is very fast paced, and unless you actually try to catch it, the reasoning behind the plot (along with some subtle foreshadowing) can very well pass you by. Definitely a movie you will have to see twice in order to fully appreciate. Experimental Cinematography barely describes this movie. The camera-work and post production add much to the overall flavour of the film, making it quite artistic at some points and open to interpretation at others (something to be desired in American movies as of late). Although, at some parts it may get a little raunchy, gruesome and too heavy for some audiences, the movie never becomes completely unrealistic. The only aspect of the movie that I would write off as "needs improvement" is the soundtrack selection. No movie is ever good without a fitting soundtrack, and although the soundtrack is quite fitting, the opening is a little too long, and the other rap songs in the film really could have been replaced with something more appropriate (heavy, grungy rock or psychedelic electronica would have made this film a real trip). The flooding of imagery and dynamic... color palettes adds another "artistic" aspect to it, also combined with the events that happen throughout the film, this is not a movie you can miss any part of and still understand. However, that also makes it much more of a desirable film to watch, and not one you'll quickly get bored of. 8.5/10

I liked 'Domino' even though the movie felt like a total mess. Describing the plot would be as much help to you as saying there was a beginning and an end, so I might as well just do that. I could tell you that Domino Harvey (Keire Knightley), once a model, has turned into a bounty hunter under the leadership of Ed Mosbey (Mickey Rourke). Also part of their team is Choco (Edgar Ramirez), who looks like a Latino version of Val Kilmer. The movie also involves mafia, stolen money, a man with an arm detached from his body, Ian Ziering and Brian Austin Green from 'Beverly Hills 90210' as themselves, sisters named Lashandra and Lashindra, and a Jerry Springer-sequence that could have been a comedy short on its own.

I liked all of it for multiple reasons, its energy being one of them. The movie feels like one long music video, even more than films like 'Trainspotting', 'Go' and 'The Rules of Attraction' (funny how they all deal with drugs in one way or another), but it never becomes exhausting. It is one of those films where style over substance succeeds, maybe not in great way, but simply in a way. I also liked it for the actors. Keira Knightley is convincing as a tough girl, even more admirable after just seeing her as a naughty but delicate girl in 'Pride & Prejudice'. Mickey Rourke is back with extraordinary performance in films such as 'Spun', 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico', 'Sin City', and now 'Domino'. Not only them, but also Ramirez, Delroy Lindo, Tom Waits and especially Christopher Walken (as the producer of a reality show the team is doing) give the movie something extra to enjoy. It is exactly what this movie is, enjoyable.

If you find yourself in need of an escape, something that will hold your attention for two hours and allow you to be lost in another world, Domino will satisfy that need. This is entertainment, after all! The plot keeps your brain in motion - one of those movies (like Usual Suspects) where you want to see it a second time to figure it all out. I wondered about Domino Harvey herself, how her life became of interest to Hollywood. As for the acting, lots of celebrity appearances not shown in the trailers. And any actor that makes me forget who they are has done their job well. Not once did I think of Kiera in a soccer uniform or pirate costume. And granted, Mickey Rourke plays Mickey Rourke well and often, but here, despite the violence, he shows signs of being capable of caring for other people.

DOMINO is a messy film, one of the most overblown I've seen. It rattles along at a fair old pace, screaming and shooting, and director Tony Scott goes out of his way to make every scene, every frame even, as stylish as possible. It's a mess of choppy editing, over the top dialogue and people screaming as they shoot each other while a pumping soundtrack plays over the proceedings.

The huge cast come in and out of the storyline, about bounty hunters going after some guys who've stolen a massive haul, and it's all rather lightweight and nonsensical. The ensemble cast is good, but these are caricatures rather than real people, and larger than life doesn't really describe the huge egos and outlandish behaviour filling the screen. I've never liked Knightley, but she's probably at her best here, given the chance to do something other than period dramas; Mickey Rourke is gravely and tough, continuing the career rehabilitation begun with SIN CITY; Christopher Walken shines in a supporting role.

But the script is all over the place and the attempts at comedy sit ill with the main thrust of the story – long, unnecessary segments including the Jerry Springer one just drag the film down and scream self-indulgence. By the end, I neither knew nor cared about any of the cardboard characters in this headache-inducing movie, just longing for it to be over.