The Movie Guys: A split vote on ‘Plunkett & Macleane’

Friday, Oct. 1, 1999 | 10:20 a.m.

The Movie Guys, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears Fridays in the Sun. They can also be seen on the 11 a.m. Friday newscast on KVVU Channel 5. You can also read their capsule reviews of movies in Las Vegas Weekly magazine. Plus, check them out online at lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/movies and themovieguys.com.

Grades: Jeff, A; Dave, C+

Starring: Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller, Liv Tyler, Ken Stott, Alan Cumming and Michael Gibson.

Directed by: Jake Scott.

Screenplay by: Robert Wade, Neal Purvis and Charles McKewon.

Rated: R for profanity, brief nudity and graphic violence.

Running time: 102 minutes.

Playing at: Regal Cinemas Village Square 18. Gold Coast Twin, UA Green Valley.

Synopsis: Set in the mid-18th century, and based on real-life characters, "Plunkett & Macleane" is the tale of two notorious highwaymen. Plunkett has the brains and know-how; Macleane has the social connections. Stealing from the rich, they give to -- themselves: Plunkett aspires to journey to America, while Macleane seeks to enter high society.

Dave: Making his directorial debut is the award-winning TV commercial and music video director Jake Scott -- the same Scott whose family has been a visionary force in filmmaking for the past 20 years. His uncle, Tony Scott, has a flair for action that has spanned from "Top Gun" to "Enemy of the State." His father, Ridley Scott, proved to be ahead of his time with such influential visual noir films as "Alien" and "Blade Runner." Even dad's own directorial debut with "The Duelists" was an action period piece that gave audiences a taste of what was to come in the wake of the family name. So now, like father like son, Jake Scott makes his first feature mark with a fictional, historical tale about the famous "Gentleman Highwaymen" in "Plunkett & Macleane."

Jeff: The film is a lavish period piece, one that features images of stunning realism. You actually are transported back to England in the middle of the 18th century, sharing space with noblemen, rat catchers and peasants. It was easy to see why human life expectancy was so short in those days with the horrible living conditions that most endured. Scott has an incredible eye and attention for detail and a skillful and creative use of the camera, and his enthusiasm shows.

Based on the historical team that robbed the rich and kept for themselves, "Plunkett & Macleane" is an old-fashioned adventure film with dark humor, men fighting duels, public hangings and stagecoach robberies. The duo is portrayed to perfection by Robert Carlyle (Plunkett, the thief) and Jonny Lee Miller (Macleane, the former gentlemen) whose contrasting characters compliment the fascinating story and setting. Both men must work together to rob the British elite: Plunkett to gain enough money to start life anew in America and Macleane to rejoin society. Both men are from such different backgrounds and therein lies the appeal. Half the fun is watching them pull off spectacular robberies and galloping away into the night. But the love story within the film does suffer, as I'm sure Dave can explain.

Dave: Well, Jeff, the beginning faults can be placed on one bit of casting. Who told Liv Tyler she belongs in film, hmm? I mean, if I have to see her (dis)grace the screen in another film one more time within the next year, I swear, Jeff may end up going solo as a film critic. Here she plays the role of Lady Rebecca Gibson, the woman whom Macleane falls in love with at first sight, and who decides his fate in the film's final act. Her ability to convey any sort of sincerity continues to test the acting waters and her presence calls damaging attention to itself.

In addition to the film's flaws, the soundtrack by the diverse music composer Craig Armstrong leans more to the mainstream instead of the date the film has placed itself in, as do the creative costume designs by Janty Yates that seem to be inspired more by the 20th century. This is a sad, blatant attempt to capture a youthful audience rather than hinging itself upon the history of "Plunkett & Macleane" as the Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid of their time. Finally the film's dark beauty and outstanding cinematography by Scott's close collaborator, John Mathieson, are barely enough to compensate for the film's lack of depth and liberties with the historical theme.

Jeff: All good things must come to an end and soon Plunkett and Macleane are wanted men. Sent to capture them and send them to the gallows is a true cold- blooded man, the Thief Taker General Chance, played ruthlessly by Ken Stott. Chance pursues the team relentlessly and in order to prevent his own shady past from becoming public and to join upper society, he must capture them quickly and leaves no stone unturned. It's an exciting chase, with gunfights and pillows of musket smoke. Corruption is at every corner and the balance of social status changes constantly -- and in this day and age, who you are is all that matters. I have to mention the music for the film by composer Craig Armstrong. The music used in the film caught me off guard, because I was expecting some sort of period classical theme, but Armstrong uses a modern techno suite that gives the fil m a hip and alternative feeling. Bravo.

From the stunning costumes by Yates, the Oscar-worthy production design by Norris Spencer and the spectacular direction by Jake Scott, "Plunkett & Macleane" is a wonderful accomplishment, reminiscent of classic filmmaking of the past. It's one of my favorite films of the year and a suitable surprise.

Dave: Scott deserves all the attention, for he shows his natural ability to orchestrate ambitious scenes and weave them into a competent story. In everything from the muddy slum streets of 18th-century London to extravagant ballroom parties filled with socialites and impressive dance sequences, he takes exercises his creative hand with a camera and boldly establishes himself as an aspiring generational filmmaker. As Jeff knows, I have always been an enormous fan of both brothers, Ridley and Tony Scott's, films, and I'm surely going to keep a promising eye on the stylistic footsteps that the young Scott will follow.

Name That Flick

What was the name of the first motion picture in which Kevin Spacey appeared? Brogg Sterrett was the first to call and correctly answer: "Heartburn." Way to go, Brogg! (Cool name, too.)

For this week what was the last name of the three famous brothers who played hockey together (not always by the rules), and brought their toy trucks on the road with them in the film "Slapshot"? If you think you know, call the Movie Guys Hotline at 225-9026 or log onto our website at www.themovieguys.com. Be sure to spell your name and if you're the first to answer correctly, we will print your name right here in our column for the entire Las Vegas Valley to read. See you next week!