Every once in awhile, I'll stumble across a movie that catches my eye simply by the plot or the actor combination; this one managed to do both, and so I'll kick off a new branch of reviews called "Rewind", namely movies that are over a decade old that I want to recommend because most likely you've never heard of 'em.
Plunkett and Macleane is a film that tries to be a handful of things. I'll call its category, "neoclassical-punk", as it has undertones of a modern action film while also being a period piece. Other films that have a feel such as this might include the recent "Sherlock Holmes" film, the "Marie Antoinette" awhile back, or Baz Luhrman's "Romeo&Juliet". Basically, the category is any sort of classical-era film that seems to have late-20th-century action style and music underscoring that still keeps the feel of the piece but brings it to a vibrant, loud-rock life with its energy and soundtrack.
The story, in essence, is about two Englishmen, a brilliant thief and a penniless gentleman, who manage to escape their condemed fates, build a new and wealthy and solid reputation for themselves, and use it as a cover to steal from the rich.
First off, let's look at the casting. Johnny Lee Miller (Trainspotting, Eli Stone) is very charming as the wannabe-Gentleman, one Jamie Macleane, and it's clear to see that his prettyboy looks are the perfect tool for their activities. then there's Plunkett, played wonderfully by Robert Carlyle, a growing favorite in my book. He's got the plan and the chip on his shoulder and the streetsmart experience to continue a life of crime, and I like the energy these two leads have with each other. There's a hint of a Rosencrantz/Guildenstern in their banter, and certainly a few chuckles along the way. Liv Tyler's stereotypical breathy ingenue is played to the proper levels as a girl-with-a-taste-for-bad-boys. And you've got Alan Cumming, Ken Stott, and Michael Gambon rounding out the rest of the important characters. All in all, a treat to watch.
The film's flaws are really in the clash between action and Period, something all of these "neo-classic-punk" genre films struggle with, is that the modern-rock music sometimes completely pulls you out of the action, even if its tone fits the moment in which it's happening. In some moments, the action is a little too flashy for the period, and you quietly wonder if it would even be possible for things to go down like they do (I'm looking at you, fireworks heist) but you let it slide as the pacing is quite strong and you're thankful nothing is too dragged-out or awkward.
At other moments, the monotony of the elaborate dressing and the complicated group dances and the simplicity of travel and weaponry are perfectly executed, with a touch of grim humor as you feel for Plunkett's feeling out-of-place in this world of sneers and lordships. The heists themselves are sloppy and quick, which is entirely believable.
Regardless, the good moments and the bad moments are fairly well-balanced and overall I liked this movie. I don't feel that it's brilliant but it certainly stands in a tiny category with its brass balls swinging, unafraid and bold as the heroes it boasts of within.
Three and a Half out of Four nooses.
