The Lookout [DVD]

This is a most engrossing film concerning a young man, who in his late High School years, had been the cause of a devastating automobile accident, killing two of his friends, severely injuring another and leaving him mentally compromised with serious brain trauma. His hopes for a bright future have been dashed leaving him with a night job of janitor for a local savings bank. He is played here by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, one of the finest young actors currently in the business. Seeing him in a few of his other films makes it clear that he gravitates to parts that are both challenging and complex. While watching this film I kept thinking of another actor that I thought must have had an influence on Joseph Gordon-Levitt -- Marlon Brando, of course. Gordon-Levitt's ability to internalize his character is evident in this and other films in which he has appeared: Brick, Manic and, particularly, Mysterious Skin, when he was 23 years of age!The character, Chris, who is played by Gordon-Levitt is approached by a man he distantly knew from High School who is planning a heist on the bank in which Chris works at night and intends to "use" Chris in his plans. I won't go any further into the plot to avoid spoiling it, but suffice it to say it is a fine film, benefiting from a superb cast and adroit direction by Scott Frank.I do have one question regarding the story: Would someone with such a brain injury that would prevent him from thinking sequentially and planning his day's actions be able to drive a car, which he does several times in the film? Driving a car must be regarded as a task highly sequential in nature. That aside, I greatly admire this picture.

Richard Roeper put this movie high in his top 10 for 2007, so I decidedto watch a rental DVD, and it was terrific. So now I own a copy. Thestory concerns a 23 year old who, back in high school, was a great hockeyplayer. But a terrible car accident at age 19 has left him with memoryand sequencing problems. He attends classes for life skills and liveswith a blind man (Jeff Daniels), who he became paired with through the rehabilitation facility. He works as a janitor at a KC bank nights.A group of small time crooks who know of his past and his accident decideto try to befriend him, with Isla Fisher as the bait, into becoming anaccomplice to robbing the bank where he works, using him as the lookout.There are many twists and turns. The movie is never predictable, andthe emphasis is on character, not action. But when there is actionit is full of surprises. This is a film for a mature audience lookingfor intelligent, yet exciting entertainment. I highly recommend it.

I liked this movie very much. It was fascinating to watch the character development, especially Gary Spargo (Mathew Goode) as he manipulated Chris (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) to gain his trust. Both actors seemed to be at the top of their game.My focus was primarily on Chris, though, because of his brain injury. His frontal lobes were injured in a car accident. My mom has Frontal Lobe Dementia and their behaviors are very much alike. I gained more understanding of her illness in several scenes.People often tell me they don't see anything wrong with my mom, yet many characters seemed to recognize how odd Chris's behaviors was. In real life I would think it due to their respective ages. People seem to expect older people to be forgetful and will overlook lots of bizarre behavior because granny's getting a bit dotty. Yet if a young man acted the same way, most people would know there's something wrong. I realize it's a movie and scripted so others recognize Chris's problems.This is a great vehicle to learn about FTD (Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia.)

I saw this movie a few years back, the thing that stands out the most is the scenes with both Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jeff Daniels. I can see why Rian Johnson decided to cast both actors together again for his Sci-Fi masterpiece, Looper. This movie is paced well, well directed and well acted. The more things I see Joseph Gordon-Levitt in, I like him. Writer director Scott Frank does a really good job of setting up the characters and making the viewer empathize with them. On Blu-Ray this movie looks as crisp as its winter setting. The supplemental features are a little on the light side, but at a cheap price this is well worth the buy and a welcome addition to my video library.

I have re-watched this film many times, and it never fails to satisfy. It is a masterclass in taught, perfectly balanced script writing and editing. The characters are fully three-dimensional and believable - terrific acting from Joseph-Gordon Levitt and Jeff Daniels - a revelation. Matthew Goode is the sexiest villain yet, also a switch for the actor usually seen in romcoms. The tension builds and never lets up until the startling and satisfying climax. One of the best, most underrated thrillers around.

Enjoyed this, I am a M GOode fan so seeing him as a rough thug a bit tricky, but he was good. Great actor and v underrated I think.

ok

i absolutely love this film with its small town feel and characters that feel very real and all with that hint of tragedy that lands people in awkward situations. Brilliantly constructed plot. I've watched this several times and recommended it to several people. Love it.

I enjoyed this film. Was an interesting story and kept you guessing until the end.