Foolproof

Even though this section of the genre is not entirely exclusive, its very nature produces some of the best movies you’ll probably see.

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Kristin Booth, Joris Jarsky, David Suchet
Director: William Phillips

There is nothing more entertaining than a slick plot in a contemporary thriller film.  Kevin (Reynolds, Van Wilder), Sam (Booth, Gossip) and Rob (Jarsky, La Femme Nikita) are the members of Foolproof, a private club where the most impossible heists are envisioned and methodically planned. Together they stake out locations, study security systems and eventually come up with a foolproof plan of various permutations guaranteed to succeed. All in theory, that is. They’ve never actually done it for real.

When their latest plans for a diamond heist are stolen they are suddenly presented in the face of a ruthless gangster Leo Gilette (Suchet, Poirot). Blackmailing them with the threat of delivering the plans to the authorities, Leo forces the reluctant trio to execute the real robbery worth millions of dollars as per their plans. As they get closer to the actual heist, a terrifying reality strikes in. They no longer need a foolproof plan to pull off the robbery, but more than ever, they need one to get out alive.

As ever, Ryan Reynolds is humorously mysterious. It’s quite difficult to picture him out of the Van Wilder image that he is raved about. But he does portray a more mature role here. Joined by the relatively unknown but pretty Kristin Booth and very funky Joris Jarsky, the trio try to add a much required depth to the characters. With hardly any room for romance, the chemistry between the trio is good but nothing innovative.

Nevertheless, it is the plot that captures most of the attention, the characters being mere pawns in an intricate game of chess. It is probably like something you’ve seen before and has its own bit of enthusiasm that goes along the entire 100 odd minutes. It does hold its own if compared to others in similar-genre but at times does seem like a wannabe hoping to impress. Probably because it is a Canadian production. The movie however stays very simple and yet slick enough to generate interest.

What is definitely likeable of the movie is the music. Very appropriate. Like most of the cast, the soundtrack also features entirely Canadian music talent. Well picked spy-funk tracks that will take you right from danceable 1970’s ghetto funk to a classic rock out, featuring artists like Dandy Warhols, Crystal Method and Getaway People.

All in all you are at least promised a foot-tapping, edge-of-the-seat piece of thriller genre worth much more than the cost of your popcorn and soda. Or the soft-cheese nachos, if that’s your flavour?