Lucky Number Slevin

A horse, a hired killer, two gangsters, a beautiful woman, a dirty cop, a blood feud and some of the finest 1970s art-deco wallpaper star in this quick and dirty neo-noir. Director Paul McGuigan has immeasurable fun with cinematographer Peter Sova and his art direction/production design department in this almost overly stylish crime romp. Writer Jason Smilovic decorates the scenery with crisply artificial dialogue that perfectly matches the décor, and even Josh Hartnett is surprisingly good as one-note lead character Slevin Kelevra, a man who is not only not what he seems; he’s not what he seems like he seems. If you like amoral murder mysteries, Bruce Willis’ icy stare and Ben Kingsley’s oddly mannered ways, this is probably the payoff film of the spring for you. It’s not going to win any awards, but it isn’t interested in awards. It’s only interested in revenge.