Just when I thought I had it all over Richard Gere, my dear spouse muttered, "Boy, is he handsome!" So much for this reviewer's ego, or what's left of it! Seriously, Gere seems to get more dashing with each film he does, but more importantly, I would argue, is how much his acting improves.
Richard Gere has earned his stripes: he has been around Hollywood for a long time. He has done some great work. I remember when he played the wayward bum in Breathless. He swaggered his way through the streets, chasing a naive young thing with believable arrogance and eventually taking on a cop when he had no way out. I remember when he played, with fine aplomb, the rich businessman who courts the sickeningly sweet prostitute in Pretty Woman (sorry, sports fans, I never liked this one.) I remember when he portrayed a lawyer committed to saving a supposedly crazy client in Primal Fear. Gere was outstanding as the gullible defense attorney. And then, when I thought, what can Richard Gere NOT do, he impressed me mightily with his singing and dancing in Chicago.
Ok, that's the buildup. Does Gere live up to his rep in Arbitrage? As a once-famous political candidate once quipped, "You betcha!" In fact, Richard Gere is so darn good that I'd say he acts up to Best Actor standards. Yes, readers, I would nominate him for an Oscar for this one.
What's his role? He's simply, as one reviewer noted, a BILLIONAIRE WEASEL! Yup, he's the guy you go the movies to hate. He's chauvinistic, self-centered, corrupt, and scarily unethical. Lest you think Madoff has something on Gere's character, you might go and see the film to judge for yourself!
As usual, I will refrain from offering details that might spoil the movie. Let me say, however, that Arbitrage is sophisticated and makes us think. It teaches us how a clever business icon can manipulate books, situations, and people in such a way that the bigger the lie, the greater chance of success there is.
Susan Sarandon is strong as the misled wife, and Tim Roth (who will never be as good as he was in Reservoir Dogs or Pulp Fiction), deftly plays a wily and determined detective.
Arbitrage is A+ entertainment. The film grabs like a vice. Not so sure I like the ending, but that's for you to weigh in on, dear readers.
Finally caught up to this film. Here are my plusses and minuses:
ReplyDeleteAgree on Gere's performance. I put him in the category of "Pretty Boys Who Are Actually Damn Fine Actors" (Pitt, Clooney, Hamm...). He did a great job here. Very compelling and riveting.
I was disappointed at yet another philandering husband who risks more than he can afford because he's thinking with his "other" head (HEAR THAT, PETRAUS?!) My favorite element in this film was the business machinations and intrigue. Very clever and tense.
I actually thought Sarandon was wasted here. She was only in 5 scenes and suddenly at the end she is characterized in ways that had not been developed for the audience (personal trainer, excessive shopping and charity obsession - huh?) I've seen much stronger performances from this stellar actress.
Tim Roth stole scenes. Perfectly cast as a smarmy Collumbo-esque cop with fewer scruples.
To the ending: I liked it for 2 reasons. One, it was different, and frankly, in real life a lot of folks do get away with a lot of "stuff." Secondly, I think the reason audiences can live with this ending is because Gere's character did not kill the girl. It was truly an accident. So we don't really want to see his life destroyed over that. And the film reinforced over and over how many people would be hurt even by his business shenanigans. Even the guy he duped seemed able to live with it. Despicable? Absolutely! But a story intelligently told. Again, it was an original movie for all these complexities.
We enjoyed it.
RE: acting... we do agree! I too put Gere in the good-actor, good-looker category. He was SO good in Breathless and Primal Fear. He's a force to be reckoned with. I think he should get a Best-Actor nomination for Arbitrage, although Daniel D-L will likely win. Susan Sarandon has never been one of my favorites...just can't say why. Tim Roth is always fantastic, as you noted. You have made accurate observations on the ending. Neither of us addressed the title: Arbitrage usually refers to hedging your bets. In the case of the sleazy businessman, he does that on several fronts! Overall, I really liked this film.
ReplyDeleteDon't place your bet on DDLewis until we have seen Hugh Jackman in Les Mis. Did you see the feature on him yesterday on Sunday Morning? Astounding.
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