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I think everyone would agree that Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro are two of the finest actors of their respective generations. Though it's too early to tell, Edward Norton is certainly a contender for that honor as well. So if you take all three men and add the sultry Ms. Angela Bassett, you have one high-powered cast no matter what sort of movie you're making. Unfortunately, they're in the service of a very pedestrian heist film that manages to under-utilize all four of them.

The plot, lifted from countless crime pics of yore, centers on Nick Wells (De Niro), a professional thief who's ready to retire and manage the jazz club he owns in Montreal. His partner Max (Brando) has one last "score"
that he's uncovered--one that will make them both so rich they'll never have to worry about money again.

It turns out that a priceless treasure is lying in the basement of the Montreal Customs House. Brian Teller (Norton), a professional himself, is posing as a retarded janitor there, which has given him access to the layout of the building and its security apparatus. With  Brian's inside info and Nick's experience and skill, the treasure is all but theirs.

You might be wondering where Bassett (What's Love Go to Do With It?) fits into all of this. Unfortunately, The Score's screenwriters (four different ones are credited) didn't think about that enough. She plays Nick's
girlfriend; and she and De Niro have two great scenes together. But those are both fairly early in the film, and after that she literally drops out of sight, one of the many crimes in this film.

In Brando's case, it'd be hard to utilize all of him since there's so much to go around. I realize we all put on some weight as we get older, but Mercy! Brando used to be a very good looking man (my sister positively
drools over A Streetcar Named Desire). Now, he literally wheezes as he drags his enormous hulk just a few feet. Nonetheless, Brando can still deliver a line, and in his few scenes he provides some welcome comic relief.

In the end, though, this is De Niro and Norton's picture. Norton has the showier role as he gets to play both an up-and-coming thief and a mentally challenged cleaning man. This is a piece of cake for the guy who's starred in such diverse movies as American History X, Primal Fear, and Everyone Says I Love You. De Niro's portrayal of a good guy who happens to crack safes is one he could do in his sleep.

At times, the film itself feels like it's sleepwalking, which is surprisingly refreshing. In an age when action films are required to have three car chases, four unlikely twists, and five false endings, The Score is both understated and old-fashioned. It has a moody presence emblematic of the jazz stars that play in Nick's club (Cassandra Wilson and Mose Allison have brief cameos). And there isn't a car chase to be found.

Unfortunately, the film's pace, courtesy of director Frank Oz (Bowfinger), gives you time to notice all of the holes in the plot: Why doesn't Nick have a map when he's casing the place but instead relies on Brian driving
around in a car outside? Why is this priceless treasure lying in a remote part of the Customs House, far away from any security? And how is the new safe so easy to crack? "Physics," is the one word answer Nick offers for that last conundrum, but that won't satisfy anyone in the audience, much less the physicists.

Nonetheless, The Score probably will satisfy folks looking for solid acting and some semblance of intelligence, both in short supply this summer. It's not a steal, but you won't feel ripped-off either.  

J. Robert Parks 7/16/2001