LOOPER
Urban Dictionary will soon have a new meaning for “Looper”. A thrilling, thought-provoking, time-tested, talented treat….( Eg. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a great catch for any woman, he is a Looper). But seriously, Looper is that good a movie to deserve its own definition like google, muggle etc. It should be introduced in movie-making seminars as Essential Viewing 101…….
To case it in a genre would be to say it’s a blend of sci-fi, good old action and an uncommonly clever script written and directed by Rian Johnson, whose previous credits include “Brick” and “The Brothers Bloom”. He may not yet be the new Nolan, but his impressive filmography shows his speciality in crafting inventive, tightly wound thrillers which end satisfyingly.
This movie is a big idea – time travel, telekinesis, blunderbuss guns — all the good stuff, showcased on an equally big budget platform. At the same time it doesn’t just rely on its time-travel conceit (always a great concept when told properly) it humanises its characters. As a result it gets the viewer to suspend disbelief while investing themselves in the characters’ arcs. The interactions between Bruce Willis (future Joe) and Gordon-Levitt (present day Joe) are electric, sublimely acted and a throwback to the old days when movies required acting rather than special FX.
It starts with the protagonist living in the year 2044, where he works as a “looper” for the Kansas City mob. In another thirty years, someone’s going to invent time travel, but only the Mafia will have access to it. Loopers then kill whomever the mafia choose to send back from 30 years in the future. Innovative, because if there is no body, there is no evidence…. And finally in what is called “closing the loop,” his last target is his future self, 30 years down the line. This is where the two Joes come in. Its obvious to assume that the present-day Joe’s assassination of his future self goes awry…. Fitted with prosthetics to look like Bruce Willis, Gordon-Levitt connects with him in more than a physical sense, making us believe that they are infact the same person. While the first half plays out like a chase thriller, there are a number of hairpin turns later on and like all of Johnson’s movies a thoroughly satisfying conclusion.
This movie may evoke shades of “Terminator” and “12 Monkeys” and even “Minority Report” but it holds its own and is every bit as good as these classics….. Few movies pit good guy vs. good guy, both of them being the same !!!!! And both include a single mother, Sara, superbly portrayed by Emily Blunt. Cameos by Jeff Daniels as Abe, the future boss of the crime syndicate, and by Paul Dano as Seth, further enrich the film. Kudos to Steven Yedlin (DoP) and James Geralden (art direction) for making both the futures believable.
To sum up if a regular multiplex ticket costs Rs. 300 this movie is worth Rs. 600. Yes !!!! Its that good, go see it, twice !!!!