$windle

It is doubtful that you'll remember much about $WINDLE for long; as a 'heist' film with an undercover cop (Tom Sizemore) falling for mastermind Sherilyn Fenn, it is pretty much 'by the numbers', with the mandatory 'psycho gang member' (Conrad Pla), a plot twist that isn't that surprising, and a resolution that is predictable (save for Dave Foley's unexpected windfall). What provides the greatest pleasure in the film are the performances of Sizemore and Fenn, who are both terrific.

Tom Sizemore is a fast-talking, quick-witted cop who is deep undercover as a freelance hood 'recruited' for an old-fashioned bank job, and whether he is quoting Jack Kerouac while seducing Fenn, savoring a high-stakes poker game, or trying to explain to his partner that he's not on the 'take', he dominates the screen each time he appears.

Sherilyn Fenn is a marvel. After surviving early roles best remembered for her frequent nude scenes (TWO MOON JUNCTION, MERIDIAN), she has matured into an actress of some range and a remarkable sensitivity. When she describes men's usual 'pick up' lines ("Nice dress...It would look great on my floor"), there is a world-weariness and pain in her voice that is totally honest. At 37, she has achieved a balance between her still breathtaking beauty and growing dramatic skills that, in a 'kinder' world, would provide her better roles in more than just 'Indie' films.

$WINDLE isn't a great film, but catch it, anyway, for Sizemore and Fenn. You won't be disappointed!

HEAT is obviously the DNA of this film, as many others made in the mean time, including Spanish films such as INSIDERS, a bad movie by the way. AMERICAN HEIST and TAKERS were also good ones. Back to this one, Tom Sizemore is of course the main link between Michael Mann's masterpiece, but not exactly the same character. The basic scheme of undercover cop is so predictable, foreseeable.... But that doesn't matter after all, the main interest is somewhere else. The heist is rather complex and ingenious but obviously inspired by DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE, the diversion. I admit that the lady gang leader, mastermind, is not that convincing. It remains overall a good story, destined for TV and DVD market. Good dialogue lines, especially from the female lead, exquisite lines for this kind of B movie.

With a title like 'Swindle', and a score (criminal activity) as object of a movie, you wonder if it could be any good.

But if you are looking for a good illustration of how a movie can be chock full of characters yet revolve mainly around two characters, this is the movie. There is the undercover cop whose dialogue is just great, and a tough hoodlum who does not get much screen time, but whose presence looms large in the movie. The two are a lesson in contrasts.

The ending is one of those grey area endings, different people will have different takes on it. The important thing? A surprisingly good movie with a somewhat surprising ending.

Stars Dave Foley (kids in the hall), Tom Sizemore, Sherilyn Fenn. George goes undercover to try to join the gang that's been pulling jobs in his hood. They have pretty sophisticated equipment and strategies. Sophie (Fenn) is the boss of the gang, and isn't sure about trusting him at first. So they pull the job.... was kind of hoping for surprises, some twists and turns. But no. It starts out so good, and doesn't really go anywhere. Script needed souping up. Needed something new and different. There's violence and swearing. Directed by KC Bascombe.

$windle is a cool, funky movie I landed on by accident watching TV, when I couldn't fall asleep. I was instantly captivated and entertained by the large number of clichés. I guess it was all tongue in cheek from the get go as far as cop shows roll. I love cop shows. For those of you who can read between the lines, and love CSI,loved Snatch, it would seem like this unpretentious flick could be one of the precursors to the CSI genre. A borderline cheesy cult B movie made in 2002, starring Tom Sizemore (Natural Born Killers) and an semi-serious performance by comedian Dave Foley (Kids In The Hall)I don't want to create anticipation or spoil the plot. It's light weight in a fun way.

I wish there were more of those movies around in 2010, to pad those sleepless nights, zapping through infomercials. We love the cheese, so I can't wait to see another cop show by KC Bascombe. On a final note, I really loved the music score throughout, and had to go and find that El Camino song by E.P. Bergen that now plays on my I Pod all the time.