Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

7/10

Starring

Josh Hartnett

Bruce Willis

Lucy Liu

Morgan Freeman

Ben Kingsley

 

Directed by Paul McGulgan

Lucky Number Slevin is a fantastic movie—one of those films you watch once and immediately feel the urge to rewatch, just to make sure you didn’t miss a thing. I loved the suspense the first time I saw it and how the movie makes you believe everything is going one way, only to completely switch directions. What’s fascinating is that the film tells you upfront this will happen when Smith/Goodkat (Bruce Willis) explains the Kansas City Shuffle. It’s all about making you look right while going left.

The writing is sharp, and the directing keeps you hooked, especially as you wonder how Slevin (Josh Hartnett) remains so calm while chaos seems to unravel around him. Oddly, the movie’s attempt to be clever didn’t sit well with critics, which I don’t understand. My only critique is that the set design felt off. From Nick’s apartment to The Boss’s office, and even the van used by the undercover officers, everything looked oddly out of place.

I remember the first time I watched this movie; I was taken aback by the sudden shift in events at the hour mark. It jolted me awake, leaving me eager to see how this twist would impact everyone involved.

The movie opens with Smith/Goodkat explaining the Kansas City Shuffle to a man waiting for his flight at the airport. During their conversation, he tells a tragic story about a man who bet money he didn’t have on a horse race, only to realize he’d put his life—and his family’s—at the mercy of the wrong people. This story sets the tone for what’s to come. Shortly after, we see Smith/Goodkat pull the Kansas City Shuffle on the man, though it’s just a demonstration for the larger shuffle he’s planning.

We then meet Slevin, who’s staying at his friend Nick’s place. Enter Lindsey (Lucy Liu), Nick’s nosy and inquisitive neighbor, who’s curious about Nick’s sudden disappearance. Slevin shares his story about arriving at Nick’s place and losing his wallet during a mugging. Lindsey proves to be sharp and clearly keeps Slevin on his toes during their interaction.

Not long after Lindsey leaves, Slevin is picked up by The Boss (Morgan Freeman), a mob leader who wants him to avenge his son’s death. The Boss believes his son was killed by a rival mob boss, The Rabbi (Ben Kingsley). Despite Slevin’s attempts to explain that he’s not Nick, The Boss insists he carry out the job to kill The Rabbi’s son, known as The Fairy.

When Slevin returns to Nick’s apartment, The Rabbi’s men come knocking. They give him 48 hours to pay back the $33,000 Nick owes, mistaking Slevin for Nick just as The Boss did.

Now, Slevin finds himself stuck between two powerful mob bosses, each with their own demands, and he must navigate this dangerous predicament to survive.

Lucky Number Slevin is a fun, tightly-paced movie with no distractions—it keeps you focused on Slevin’s life as he deals with his sudden and overwhelming predicament. It’s clever, suspenseful, and a solid watch that deserves its place as a cult favorite.