In the course of a massive robbery, psycho Bristol (Doug Hutchison) murders two prisoners and partner Jaster (Robert Pastorelli) abandons him, only to be caught, having stashed the loot. When Jaster dies in custody, Treasury agent Clenteen (David Morse) presses his cellmate Alvin (Jamie Foxx) into being unwitting bait to snare Bristol.
This is a perfectly serviceable plot. So is the wrinkle about Alvin discovering he has become a father while he was in prison, and resolving to get a job and become responsible. The balance between gritty action and humour is a little uneasy and makes the film feel as if it doesn't really know what it wants to be.
But the big fault lies with two of the characters. Most are absolutely fine, but David Morse's Lenteen has no humanity and is unlikeable, and Foxx's Alvin is so irritating that you want to smack his head together. Yes, I know.
This is a perfectly serviceable plot. So is the wrinkle about Alvin discovering he has become a father while he was in prison, and resolving to get a job and become responsible. The balance between gritty action and humour is a little uneasy and makes the film feel as if it doesn't really know what it wants to be.
But the big fault lies with two of the characters. Most are absolutely fine, but David Morse's Lenteen has no humanity and is unlikeable, and Foxx's Alvin is so irritating that you want to smack his head together. Yes, I know.