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The Big Bounce
2004
Based on the Elmore Leonard novel that inspired both the 1969 film and this remake, THE BIG BOUNCE is a comic film noir about an everyman who finds trouble in the form of a beautiful blonde. Jack Ryan (Owen Wilson) is a small-time scam artist who is determined to leave that life behind after yet another run-in with the law. But .. Read more
| Starring | Owen Wilson, Charlie Sheen, Vinnie Jones, Sara Foster |
|---|---|
| Director | George Armitage |
| Genres | Drama |
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The Big Bounce
Based on the Elmore Leonard novel that inspired both the 1969 film and this remake, THE BIG BOUNCE is a comic film noir about an everyman who finds trouble in the form of a beautiful blonde. Jack Ryan (Owen Wilson) is a small-time scam artist who is determined to leave that life behind after yet another run-in with the law. But when he meets the mistress of his former boss, Ray Ritchie (Gary Sinese), all bets are off. Nancy (newcomer Sara Foster) is hot, mischievous, and up to no good, but Jack is too smitten to use his better judgment. It isn't long before he's agreed to help her steal $200,000 from Ray. Along the way, he must contend with a series of potentially shady characters, who might not be what they seem (Morgan Freeman, Charlie Sheen, and Bebe Neuwirth).
Directed with an easygoing approach that fits perfectly with the laid back Hawaiian locales, THE BIG BOUNCE gets an enormous boost from Owen Wilson, who appears to be having the time of his life. This might have something to do with his costar Foster, a former model whose mere presence is enough to make the screen sizzle. The movie also features hilarious supporting turns from Freeman, Neuwirth, and especially Sheen.
| Starring | Owen Wilson, Charlie Sheen, Vinnie Jones, Sara Foster, Gary Sinise, Morgan Freeman, Bebe Neuwirth |
|---|---|
| Director | George Armitage |
| Studio | WARNER HOME VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 25 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 06 Sep 2004 Production year: 2004 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews
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Ryan O'Neal makes his big screen debut as a cucumber picker who jumps in and out of bed with various women and ends up accused of murder. One of his dalliances (Leigh Taylor-Young) likes having sex in graveyards; another (Lee Grant) commits suicide. Made in 1969, this adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel is one of those “youth movies” that's full of hippy characters, free sex, “daring” nudity and a general air of social rebellion. O'Neal and Taylor-Young were the stars of the TV series Peyton Place and were married in real life.
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Most helpful member's review
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7 out of 9 people found this review helpful
Had potential but was a let down!
I thought this film had real potential, I really enjoyed Owen Wilson in Starsky and Hutch and Shanghai Noon/Knights and with the supporting cast including Morgan Freeman, Charlie Sheen and Gary Sinise I was looking forward to it.
However Sinise has virtually a walk-on part and Freeman is painfully under-used. The story focuses on the relationship between Wilson and gorgeous newcomer Sara Foster, however I didn't really sympathise with either character.
The scenes with Sheen and Wilson are very funny and the backdrop to the film is amazing (makes a change from Detroit where the book was set). In the end I thought it really could have been a lot better -
Most recent members' review
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5 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Not so bouncy
I've never read an Elmore Leonard novel that I haven't enjoyed, but few seem to be able to translate his cool, matter-of-fact style onto the screen. The only decent ones were 'Get Shorty' and 'Out of Sight', which came effectively from the same stable (adapted by Scott Frank and produced at least in part by Danny De Vito). Both of those movies were sharp, packed with superb character actors, and set alight by brisk performances from the two leads, John Travolta and George Clooney.
From the beginning, 'The Big Bounce' takes its cue from Owen Wilson, making a rare appearance as the sole leading man (if you notice, he nearly always appears with someone else). Wilson is a laid-back, casual actor, and so the film goes the same way, becoming slow, even listless, even though it's barely 80 minutes long. There's no sense of menace, no threat, no danger, and whether or not you work out who exactly is scamming who, you're unlikely to care much either way.
The performances are uniformly charming and it looks gorgeous, but it's a little bit too flat, too please with itself to really impress. -
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