*Blog post started on April 30, 2020.
Things
keep getting weirder during the lockdown. Tuesday, it was 2:00 am and
the monotony of trying to get enough virtual currency to purchase Beth
Phoenix in "WWE 2K19" (to then be able to download the best Nyla Rose
before the servers shut down in May) was wearing on me. Aside from
watching "The Daily Social Distancing Show", and eating Taco Bell after
work, and errands, the ex-girlfriend decided to be her aloof self in the
living room. All of the 4K gear is in that room and I have yet to watch
my "Rise of Skywalker" disc yet. I lay back and let out a "Go to fucking
bed *redacted*."
"What was that?"
"Just talking to myself."
I
got a movie review, that turns out to be prophetic when it comes to the
scenario above, so I am going to skip some details. Things were also
weird because I was experiencing my first NSFW picture exchange on Snap
Chat. Somehow we got to bonding over all the madness going around and
thinking about our stimulus checks, the fun of not moving came to mind.
We are not going to get back together anytime soon, but maybe we could
look after each other during the fall out.
This
relates to the movie because it is about a character who seems
co-dependent on the people of Las Vegas. He needs to get out, but that
could be too easy. And what happens after he captures his dream? How
will he stay sane? It is William Goldman's last screenplay, so there has
got to be some intellect to it. But not since "Snatch", when has there
been a Jason Statham movie that had that ("Revolver" and maybe "Safe",
but "Expendables", "Crank", and "The Transporter" definitely lack
that.)?
Wild Card
Nick
Wild is a tough guy with a heart of gold who claims his only goal is to
get out of Las Vegas. If this was really a priority for him, why is he
quick to refuse extra cash for being such a great guy? But what would
the good people Vegas do without him though? Who is going to serve as
bodyguard to the idealist young tech billionaires? More importantly, how
else will the recently raped and beaten sex worker settle her score
with an arrogant mafia son? There is so much to do, is there even a way
for Nick to find time to gamble away his cash in the hopes of divine
intervention that will send him to live out the rest of his days in the
Mediterranean?
"Wild
Card" is based on Goldman's novel "Heat" which was adapted into a Burt
Reynolds's movie in the mid-80's. From all accounts, including
Goldman's, that film was a disaster. It sounded like it was more of
Reynolds's vanity project from what I read, so I will not be revisiting
that feature.
Reynolds's
personality seems too big for the Nick character. Every Burt character
is Burt. Jason Statham plays the same character every film, but he does
not go out of his way to let you know that he is the same character. He
is also a legit action star, so he is more believable when things in any
film get crazy. At least for Goldman, the casting presents a good
template for him to work with.
The
rest of the supporting cast in this film is great and despite it being
sold as an action flick from a promotional standpoint, you start to wish
this could be a mafia version of "The Princess Bride". Sadly, the film
does not click. Every performer is on their game and there is some
brilliant dialogue, but the studio does not know if the film should
focus on the gambling elements or the action. It ends up feeling clunky
and being only adequately directed does not cover that up.
If
you are looking for an action movie, I think "Wild Card" will
disappoint. If you are looking for a William Goldman film, you will get
to see the glimpses of a couple good ones, but they do not make a great
whole. Fortunately, this film is for the Jason Statham fans, so if you
are one, this is a pleasant change of pace.
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