Flawed character boosts Costner’s thespic cachet
KEVIN COSTNER
WHERE are Deadpool and Wonder Woman when you need them the most? While the Marvel and DC superheroes are nowhere to be found in Ariel Vromen’s actioner, “Criminal,” Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot, their alter egos, are on board portraying crucial roles in the taut thriller.
When seasoned CIA agent Bill Pope (Reynolds) falls victim to the deadly machinations of terrorist Xavier Heimdahl (Jordi Molla), his memories and skill set are implanted into the brain of Jericho Stewart (Kevin Costner), a hardened criminal and sociopath, in the hope of retracing the events that would help stop the diabolical plan of the trash-talking Spanish anarchist.
But, the ex-con’s cold demeanor begins to thaw when he meets Bill’s wife, Jill (Gadot), and daughter—who are later used as pawns by Xavier to slow down the morally “reinvigorated” Jericho!
The scientific mumbo-jumbo that explains the memory transfer demands viewers’ suspension of disbelief, but if you’re willing to ignore the film’s implausibilities, it isn’t hard to root for Jericho, especially when he starts recalling Bill’s tender moments with his loving family.
Believability
The film’s sequence of events leaves a lot to be desired, especially in terms of believability—but, its cast members’ portrayals keep its hectic sections watchable. Reynolds and Gadot acquit themselves well in their respective roles, but the fast-paced production is more a thespic showcase for Kevin Costner than it is for anybody else in the stellar cast, which also includes Gary Oldman and Tommy Lee Jones.
RYAN REYNOLDS
Shorn in an unflattering but character-appropriate buzz cut, Costner transcends the movie’s discombobulating distractions by reinventing himself as the hero-antihero he’s tasked to breathe palpable life into—and he doesn’t disappoint.
He manages to further transmogrify into his polarizing role by doing away with his characteristic nasal delivery and employing a gruff tone from a lower vocal register.
Actors know that they’re doing something right if they can make viewers root for a less-than-likable character—and that is exactly what Costner accomplishes here.
He may already be 61 but, like Liam Neeson, he is still convincing in both his action and dramatic scenes.
His characterization benefits from time-honed acting chops that allow him to make his dramatic moments come to compelling, empathetic life!
