I hate it when they take a phenomenal actor (in this case two), put them in a movie that is supposed to feature them at their best (which it does) but that comes off as the most boring waste of time imaginable. Such is the case with STONE, the new DVD release starring Robert DeNiro and Edward Norton.
The story focuses on Jack Mabry (DeNiro), a parole officer in a large prison about to retire. Jack has been detached from life for some time. His is an existence of merely going through the motions, feeling little if anything. He begins the film this way and continues on, searching for the meaning of life.
Into Jack’s world enters Stone (Norton), an arsonist convicted of torching his grandparent’s house after being involved with their murder. Stone is set for release depending on the recommendation of Jack. The two have conversations in Jack’s attempt to discover if Stone has been rehabilitated or not, if he possesses any sign of remorse. And in these few moments the best of the film is revealed.
At first arrogant and obnoxious, Stone undergoes a series of events that bring about an epiphany in his soul. He begins to seek out religion and life and discover himself. But as he grows in his search Jack falters. Seeking out his own answers, Jack finds hollowness inside of himself that he can’t seem to fill.
While these conversations go on, Stone also attempts to play his ace in the hole by having his wife, Lucetta (Milla Jovovich) seduce Jack. The pair begin an affair slowly with Lucetta first approaching Jack to just discuss her husband’s release and then slowly teasing him until he falls for her seduction. Just one more attempt and connecting with someone that Jack fails with.
Whether or not Stone is eventually released is pretty much a given answer. But the question becomes is he the same man who went in or has he truly changed? Sadly this isn’t the main focus of the film which is more on Jack and how the whole event affects him.
All in all while it sounds like it might make an interesting film (and it probably did on paper) the movie is a let down. I didn’t walk in expecting an action packed adventure. I didn’t even expect a sexual thriller, though there is some bit of that included. I did expect a better story that didn’t rely so much on distant, longing looks and drawn out still life visuals. Some directors seem to forget the term “moving pictures” means that films do indeed move. Many times this one just sits there.
A number of critics and viewers have lauded the lead actors in this film, discussing the fact that they are among the greatest ever and that this film gives them ample opportunity to flex their acting muscles. The fact is that watching them rehearse scenes from other films would make for a more entertaining movie than this one.
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