First, the good. Beautiful sets, and some good cinematography between the annoying jump shots. Some good, solid acting (assuming that the director insisted on Ray Liotta overplaying his role). Visually, the movie works.
Unfortunately, that's all it has going for it. For those who claim that this is a masterpiece that you have to "get" - I got it. If you use a senseless plot with remarkably huge holes (Someone with a rare disease and only 3 days to live will give everything he owns, plus his unquestioning obedience, in exchange for protection from a hit, because the protection is provided by apparently omnipotent, omniscient loan sharks, for starters), Taoist-sounding aphorisms that are supposedly the key to the perfect con (or chess game), no matter how inane and wrong they actually are, a non-linear time line connecting unexplained events, and end with blurbs of remarkably inept psychobabble from apparent degree holders, some of the audience will think they've seen something deep and profound. I get that. I just didn't much enjoy the process of acquiring it.
Pretty, if you're in the mood to turn your brain off and enjoy the moment. Annoying, if you like the picture to appear after you've connected the dots. I recommend that you watch the trailer, instead - most of the pretty visuals show up there, and the plot hinted at is far more entertaining than the plot revealed.
Unfortunately, that's all it has going for it. For those who claim that this is a masterpiece that you have to "get" - I got it. If you use a senseless plot with remarkably huge holes (Someone with a rare disease and only 3 days to live will give everything he owns, plus his unquestioning obedience, in exchange for protection from a hit, because the protection is provided by apparently omnipotent, omniscient loan sharks, for starters), Taoist-sounding aphorisms that are supposedly the key to the perfect con (or chess game), no matter how inane and wrong they actually are, a non-linear time line connecting unexplained events, and end with blurbs of remarkably inept psychobabble from apparent degree holders, some of the audience will think they've seen something deep and profound. I get that. I just didn't much enjoy the process of acquiring it.
Pretty, if you're in the mood to turn your brain off and enjoy the moment. Annoying, if you like the picture to appear after you've connected the dots. I recommend that you watch the trailer, instead - most of the pretty visuals show up there, and the plot hinted at is far more entertaining than the plot revealed.