Domino

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

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.

My name is Domino Harvery. {EDIT *dizzying* CHOP} My--my--my name is Domino Harvey. {CUT, CHOP} My name is Domino Harvey. {EDIT. CUT. Playback}

Never have I seen a director take so much flack for his style before. By now it is evident that most people do not appreciate Tony Scott's choppy, flashy, dizzying editing technique. If I have to choose between loving it and hating it, I'd say I love it. It was borderline distracting at times, but the end result was pretty good and it's nice to see a director with a creative edge to his style and some originality (even if it borrows heavily from MTV videos).

This stylistic edge manifests itself as Keira Knightley plays the role of cocky badass bounty hunter Domino Harvey and even her dialogue seems strangely choppy. Otherwise she plays her poorly because I pretty much hated her character and did not sympathize one bit with her, no matter how much she suffered. We follow Domino through her life as she joins up with fellow bounty hunters Mickey Rourke, Rizwan Abbasi and Edgar Ramirez. The crew become tangled up in the FBI and suddenly has a reality show contract under Christopher Walken's TV production company (what is Christopher Walken doing in every film, by the way?). I guess that is a clever film technique, because now Tony Scott is free to use as much flashy MTV/Reality Show editing footage as he likes. It becomes a pastiche of MTV culture at this point.

It followes then that the story is told at an amazingly rapid-fire pace, with lots of raunchy strong language and gun violence. There are some funny jokes; it's all very modern and surreal at the same time. It's a mess, but it's a rather enjoyable mess. It is ultimately flawed in so many ways (the actors try too hard to make their characters "cool", for one) but it works. I give it a weak 7/10 which may seem generous when compared to the general consensus of movie-goers who graded this film — but I feel it had some good ideas and executed them well.

7 out of 10

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.

This was a pretty good action movie which I believe could have been better if the director (Tony Scott) hadn't kept cutting away to one scene after another. In my opinion this technique didn't help to enhance the film at all. If anything it gave it a choppy feel. Other than that though I thought the acting was really good. I enjoyed seeing Jacqueline Bisset (as "Sophie Wynn") who still looks like dynamite. Mickey Rourke ("Ed Moseby"), Edgar Ramirez ("Choco") and Delroy Lindo ("Claremont Williams") also performed quite well. Additionally, Keira Knightley (as "Domino Harvey") was excellent but it was Christopher Walken who was nothing less than sensational as the television producer named "Mark Heiss". He definitely gave this film an extra edge. At any rate, if you're wanting a good movie with plenty of action and humor then this is one you should definitely want to check out. I honestly think you'll like it.