Crime Story is a film that tries
to sell an improbable story.Though
there are some good performances here, enjoyment of the film hinges on the
viewer's ability to suspend disbelief.
We first meet our anti-hero, Ben
Myers, via voiceover. Richard Dreyfuss's voice is easily recognizable,as is the
scene. He's been shot and wounded and is being questioned by paramedics on the
ride to the hospital. Briefly, we're treated to what must be his life, and
mistakes, passing before his eyes. Claiming to be "based on actual
events," we are now informed that we are going to a point in time "12
hours earlier."
Ben Myers is a 71 year-old man.
We get this information from the paramedics in the first scene. When we first
see Ben, we also see that he is obese. He and his second wife, Nan, live in a
lovely home. Nan suffers from dementia and seems unable to communicate
verbally. Ben Myers is a former mob boss and enforcer who was once the most
powerful man in town. Ben has a daughter named Nickel Wallace (Mira Sorvino),
who, as Ben puts it, became a cop to catch him. They have long been estranged,
from when Nickel was four years old and he left her mom. Although technically a
homicide detective, Nickel is now assigned as a liaison to Congressman Billings
(D.W. Moffett) who, unbeknownst to her, happens to owe his political career to
Ben.
Ben heads out, leaving Nan alone
in the home, to meet his daughter at the bar he currently owns. When he returns
home from the contentious confrontation, he finds his home has been ransacked
and robbed. Nan is unhurt but everything of value has been stolen. An
examination of a video taken by the hidden cam in the living room clock shows
Ben the faces of the three men who robbed him.
Now here where it gets
improbable. Within the space of a few hours, he tracks down the van that left
was parked outside when he left his home, attacks and disables a man twice his
size, gets the address of one of the thieves, and defeats him in a wrestling
match for a gun and...
The concept of "suspension
of belief" is necessary for fans of sci-fi, fantasy and comic books. For
example, we believe a person can fly. We believe that super spies get whatever
woman they want."Suspension of
disbelief," not so easy to lose. That being said the film does have a lot
going for it.
Crime Story has almost as many
twists as a Chubby Checker dance party. And when they're revealed they make
sense. It also has a few poignant scenes that will tug at your heartstrings.
Dreyfuss and Sorvino are terrific in their roles. Megan McFarland as the
voiceless Nan works magic. Pruitt Taylor Vince also works his usual supporting
role magic as Tommy, Ben's long time, and long-suffering assistant/henchman/bar
manager.
In select theaters, on digital
and on demand as of Aug. 13th, don't expect this to become a classic, go-to
mobster film but Adam Lipsius' Crime Story is worth a viewing.