The Lookalike (2014)
Starring: Jerry O'Connell, Justin Long, Gillian Jacobs, Scottie Thompson, John Corbett, Luiz
Guzman, John Savage, Steven Bauer, Gina Gershon
Plot: Sadie's death propels an ex basketball champion, a
deaf beauty, an addict, and an aspiring actress into an unlikely romance and a
desperate quest to appease drug lord William Spinks.
My Review and Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this crime thriller. It gave an ultimate
story. A drama induced mystery that keeps you guessing on just which way it's
going to conclude.
A thick story. Deep characters and a massive character
driven plot. This can be looked at in two different ways either its brilliant
or its too big of a story and too much plot. Well thankfully it does not fail.
It's truly a deep crime driven drama that builds the story and tension in equal
parts drama and character chemistry. Most of all the story becomes an
intense emotional reality that plays out as if your apart of it.
A wonderful cast of actors. Starring the wonderful John
Corbett as the character drug pusher Bobby and Steven Bauer as Bobby's right hand man Frank. Both
veterans of cinema, both small and large. Also starring someone I consider a
truly wonderful performer Justin Long. I really liked his persona in this film
as the character Holt. Also starring someone I grew up watching on TV and film.
Someone I have always considered an underrated actor, Jerry O'Connell which I
have to say this is his best role that displays his wonderful talent of acting. He owned and created his character. Also starring the one and only John Savage who has graced
cinema in countless films. Always wonderful to see. He aces the part of the
mysterious William Spinks. The wonderful Luis Guzman who plays Vincent aces as
always his character. The very gifted Gina Gershon plays Detective Lee Garner and does it flawlessly.
I think the two stars of the film has to go to Gillian Jacobs who plays a duel
role of Sadie and Lacy and the ultra-stunningly beautiful Scottie Thompson who
plays Mila. Both actresses create their personas amazingly. Thompson is truly a
wonderful performer that makes you believe in her character and creates a truly
likable role that the viewer can become one with.
Jerry O'Connell plays a drug dealer named Joe who works for
the local drug pusher Bobby. Bobby has made a deal with a mysterious William
Spinks to have sex with a particular girl. Now Joe was a rising basketball star
whose knee gave out and now deals to make money because of family debts owed to
a bookie. His father was a gambler who owed lots of money. What he does not
know is the police are on to him. Plus his brother Holt also has a gambling
problem and in debt. Joe pays off other debts but now his brother
is in deep with Vincent for a 100 grand. Joe wants nothing to do with the world of gambling or drugs
anymore.
The plot spirals after a girl named Sadie was accidentally
killed who was supposed to do a job for the drug pusher Bobby. The deal would
only go down with Sadie because that's all William Spinks wanted. The plot builds as Frank and Bobby try and find a
lookalike to go through with the deal which ends up bringing Joe into the mix.
This is an ultimate plus to the film because it adds the mystery of why Sadie
is so important and why does William Spinks want only her.
The strongest reality to this film is the chemistry between
all the players. Each one holds thick drama and ultimate perfection in being
able to build their characters and make you believe each of their plights. I
like how the story comes together to interweave each character into the plot. The
direction and story spends just enough time on each persona to let you become a
part of who they are.
This was directed by Richard Gray. Gray did a phenomenal job
in capturing great detail and an all-around great film that grabs the viewer
and sends them on a true trip into a gritty crime thriller. Gray captures
perfect direction and bleeds his ultimate vision on screen so that the audience
feels as if they are inside the feature. Written by Michele-Davis Gray and boy
does she spine a thick tale. I think she created a very intense crime
thriller mixed with all the reality of drama and the hardships and mishaps in
life.
I think what makes this stand out is how intense it is. It's
unapologetic and that's what makes it so gritty and dark.