"flawless" - a 2007 film

“Flawless” - a 2007 film…

There is always a fascinating perversion, an overpowering thrill in breaking the law; to subvert a system; to infiltrate into areas that are designated as prohibited; to cross moral and ethical taboo’s; to explicitly attempt to break something that is established as sacrosanct - Man is forever looking for opportunities to stretch the boundaries of social limitations. In fact, if history is to be studied as a series of challenges and responses, one would find that every epochal event: socially, morally and scientifically is an act of rebellion against a known system. Some of these acts are absorbed into the existing scheme of things as revolutionary and fit to emulate; and others are branded and discarded as repugnant; and laws, safeguards are made to prevent them from occurring again.

The History of Cinema has celebrated Robberies and heists from its very early days. From Stanley Kubrick’s “Killing” to “Great Train robbery” to “Reservoir dogs” to “Entrapment” to “Oceans eleven” , to name very few, Hollywood has celebrated plotting, robbing, kidnapping, ransom and revenge to a great degree of refinement. Many of them have become cult pictures in their own right. The fact that audiences enjoy a well-planned plot that portrays a system being beaten, is indicative of a certain Freudian sense of rebellion that lies dormant within all of us. The thick chains of social indoctrination and to a large extent religious fear has kept in check these anarchic feeling in many of us; and yet in these colorful dreams of make believe that flit across cinema screen, we allow these meticulously drawn plots become a part of us - satiating a deep craving and rebellious joy within to break the shackles of lawful society . After all, that is the function of art - to draw forth a catharsis in the beholder, purging one’s emotional inhibitions of dichotomous emotional energies that would otherwise prove to be a strain in day-to-day living.

“Flawless”, the 2007 film is one among the long line of such stories. What drew me to watch this movie was the presence of Michael Caine – whom I rate as one of the finest actors to come out of England in the last century; and, Demi Moore, who is not the most versatile of actors, but more than makes up for the lack of it with her sculptured beauty; a sensuous bearing that would stir up coiled passions in the most ascetic of Men. The story is set in London in 1960; a high powered executive connives with a Janitor to pull off a theft from one of the largest Diamond corporations in the world. Each moved by a different reason. The story line seems predictable and sometimes a little sluggish as well, but what kept me going is the brilliant performance by Sir Michael. His cockney British accent, soft brown eyes; and a face that can shift between sinister looks to deep sadness in a flash – is a treat to watch. Few will know that he is one of those select actors who along with Sir Laurence Olivier and Jack Nicholson have been nominated for an academy award every decade since he began acting in 1960. He may not be as flamboyant as a Sean Connery, but certainly a wonderful actor in his own right.

And, I cannot stop myself from admiring the chiseled beauty of Demi ( Incidentally, as a side note, she shot to fame in 1982 with a slap stick comedy titled “Blame it on Rio”, in which Michael Caine played the lead role). Her brownish complexion, dark eyes that seem to peer in to one’s soul, right balance of voluptuousness with elegance – have always held me in fascination. Movies the “Ghost”, “Indecent Proposal” or “Striptease” have not really given her to chance to emote; but she has this uncanny ability to stand up to the very best without lowering herself as an actor.

What I liked about “Flawless” is that it is a neat film. It doesn’t stretch itself towards perfection in any department of Movie making; but the overall impact is one of satisfaction. If I were to write as a pure breed film critic, then this movie could be faulted at different levels, but, as a lover of this art, who would like to curl up in his chair, with a blanket covering his knees, sipping a hot cup of Starbuck’s on a wet, winter evening, wanting to entertained - then, this is the right ambrosia...

In all, a decent film to watch with your arm wrapped snugly around your partner and children munching popcorn, in a cozy dimly lighted living room with an overcast sky darkening the atmosphere for you.

God bless…