This is a solid movie! There are several genres of movies out there. The Score is a 'heist' movie. It's about robbers stealing things. I said that I thought Saving Private Ryan was the epitome of the 'American War Movie' The Score is a very solid representative of the the heist genre. Simply, I am not as familiar with heist films as I am with war movies and The Score isn't as perfect as Ryan.
Let me talk generally. There is little need to go into specifics about this movie, it is easy to understand and so I needn't explain plot. First, unlike movies like Heat and other heist films this one is all about characters and plot and is consequently more expressive and intriguing. I think there are about three, maybe four gunshots fired and nobody is murdered. As the plot develops you can see the two main characters DeNiro and Norton develop and the contrast of their characters demonstrates why this is such a compelling genre. DeNiro is the old veteran and is trying to find that one piece, that will satiate him and put his life in order so that he can retire. There is a genuine yearning for normalcy in DeNiro's character. Norton is the new guy who wants honour and demands respect, though he is unwilling to earn it. The two characters are working together on this heist of great complexity and cooperation is tolerated. The genre, and this movie are not about the heist, but about life and the place of material possession in this material world. Norton wants something so that he can be respected, DeNiro wants something so that his life will be more complete. The movie works very well on this level and need not rely on explosions and unbelievable Mission Impossible style whizbang gimmicks to keep us interested.
The allegory of the tale is simple, and compelling. The story is well told, complex and complete. There are no plotholes. Every character is interesting (except DeNiro's girlfriend who is one dimensional). The actors are superior and the photography is well done. This movie is well worth seeing
On the official Chris' Choice scale The Score gets four stars.
****
