The Score Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
There are no partners in crime
Nick Wells, a professional criminal, decides to leave the business for good, since he nearly got caught on his last job. His plan is to live in peace with his girl Diane, running his Montreal jazz club NYC. Soon Max, his good friend and financial partner in the illegal affairs, comes along with an offer Nick can't refuse: A historical and priceless French sceptre has been discovered while being smuggled into the country. It is now under massive surveillance in the Montreal Customs House, and soon to be returned to France. Nick has to team up with Max' man inside, the young, talented and aggressive thief Jackie Teller to get the precious item, and suffer no more financial problems ever. Only one question remains: Who will trick whom out of their share?
6.80 out of 10 (27610 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Simply Excellent
posted on 26 Aug 2009Excellent plot, excellent actors and excellent ending. I love this movie from start to finish - Ed Norton was terrific (as always) and Robert De Niro was his usual outstanding self. Don't quite follow the reviews that said this movie was "boring". Sorry, there's no non-stop explosions or car chases, just plain old excellence.
A crackling good safe cracker flick
posted on 20 Aug 2009"The Score" tells of a sagacious master safe cracker and burglar (DeNiro) who signs on to one last big job before retiring. This high tech caper flick with a vein of people issues running through it is an excellent shoot artistically and technically. A taught drama which builds suspense to a satisfying conclusion with a twist, "The Score" doesn't go overboard on the gadgetry (vis-a-vis Mission Impossible). Should be enjoyable stuff for most, especially gadget geeks and DeNiro fans.
Talented Film-Making
posted on 10 Aug 2009"The Score" had so much talent put into the making of the film that how could it possibly be bad? It didn't quite live up to my expectations, but it certainly turned out to be a great suspense film. Robert Denairo stars as a professional thief who has been in the business for 25 years and is looking toward retirement to settle down in his hometown, Montreal, and maintain his restaurant. His partner in business, Marlon Brando, approaches him with an offer to steal a sceptor in the Montreal House of Commons worth more than Denairo has ever stolen put together. With the aid of the cocky and devious Edward Norton, Denairo reluctantly agrees to take the assignment. Basically the rest of the plot revolves around the characters and their quest to pull off the scepter heist. I enjoyed this movie thoroughly. There are not many elements to complain about other than I wish there were a few more scenes of suspense. There were a few parts in which I wished that there was less plot development and more suspense (unusual coming from me, seeing as how I feel movies today require much more plot development to be good). I also enjoyed the setting of Montreal, instead of the usual New York or LA setting (or even London or Paris for that matter). The ending was very enjoyable and did not drag on too long, but left me feeling satisfied. It did not try to play games for too long like the movie "Entrapment" (which wouldn't end!). The element of the movie I enjoyed most was that it did not turn the story into a shoot-em-up, 2 hour action scene with twenty heavily armed gaurds running down a hall getting picked off in bullet time by the main characters (which is a problem most movies recently have given in to). The movie was very entertaining and is one of those under-hyped summer movies I hope makes out well in the box-office.
More like, "the BORE"!!! Ha, I kill me!
posted on 08 Aug 2009I had really high hopes for this one. It turns out to be one of the most boring movies I've gotten to see in a while. I'm not kidding! You HAVE to concentrate on Ed Norton having the most perfectly formed neck in the human species or YOU WILL DIE OF BOREDOM!!!Okay, fine then. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Good acting in a dull story
posted on 23 Jul 2009Naturally, Robert DeNiro and Edward Norton can't DO a bad job, but the story here is kind of hackneyed and clichéd. DeNiro replays his role from HEAT as a veteran thief willing to retire for his beautiful girlfriend (a pitifully small role for Angela Bassett). Norton plays the young punk wanting to learn at the master's feet. This movie could have been a lot smarter and a lot more intriguing, but it just sticks to the lowest denominator. However, I do now want to visit Montréal, because this film makes it look absolutely beautiful!
conventional but stylish caper film
posted on 17 Jul 2009`The Score' is a fun, stylish return to the `Rififi,' `Topkapi' school of crime drama. The object of this particular heist is a 17th Century royal scepter from France that happens to be languishing in the basement of the Montreal customhouse just asking to be taken. One of the would-be takers is Nick Wells (Robert De Niro), a seasoned heister dreaming of the quiet life of retirement but compelled to do this one last job as a favor to Max (Marlon Brando), an old buddy in hock to some pretty dangerous mob figures. Completing the triangle is Jack Teller (Edward Norton), a brilliant but brash young criminal mastermind whose high-risk temperament is placed in direct counterpoint to Nick's cool, levelheaded demeanor.Perhaps the most amazing triumph for director Frank Oz is his success at pulling together this impressive cast of stellar heavyweights who cut across three generations of movie acting. Of course, one might wish to see them in roles more demanding of their thespian talents, but we moviegoers will take these three superstars any way we can get them. And `The Score' is certainly very entertaining on its own terms. The technical elements involved in the planning of the heist are beautifully detailed from start to finish. And Oz generates genuinely nail-biting suspense in many sequences involving close quarters and close calls. In addition, the Montreal setting is novel and fresh and it is enhanced by some very impressive wide screen photography.A film like `The Score' lives or dies based on the intricacy of its plotting and the expertise of its craft. In both cases, `The Score' excels as an outstanding example of this noble and time-honored genre. And watching these three acting giants doing their thing in a movie together is OUR well-earned reward.
Powerhouse.... until it ends
posted on 03 Jul 2009The Score is a perfect example of what happens in a movie when thewriter has no idea how to end the movie. The whole movie had a singular pace to it. Well constructed and well acted.The Score is definitely a Frank Oz styled movie. Not much swearing. No real violence, and nothing real horrific. The Score is a typical movie with a typical ending and not much more than that. You mostly watch it for the three main actors who each try to outshine the other.i recommend catching this on matinee or video. Do not spend the 7.50 for it. It's good, but it's not a must see in the theater good.
Average - but the worst of De Niro
posted on 27 Jun 2009I LOVE De Niro - before this film I was positive that he had this impeccable taste. From this movie on, I'll be more careful - the film is as boring, eventless, unoriginal and monotonous as they get. The first time you see Norton's character (Norton's performance was terrific though) you know he's there to screw everyone, the first time De Niro's character talk - you know he's not the one to screw. How much more unoriginal can you get? There is a whole wealth of useless lines, characters, episodes going NOWHERE and pretty much taking care of the film fitting in the time it fit. This should have been a 30 min film. I mean really - think about this story: a noble robber who wants to quit (how original) and lvoes a woman to wants him to quit (God! that's something new) and robs the... ok, not bank (that was the only "new" thing) because his freind is in trouble, Brando plays himself and would have been as great without any script!, Norton plays same guy as usual, as soon as he spends 5 min on the screen everyone knows he is not going to take S#@t from anyone and will try to screw them all, the scene of robbery is actually fine (B or B+), the bad guy is punished and the good guy rides in the sunset. BORING. What a shame that such three great actors took these roles.
Quite a Disappointment
posted on 09 Jun 2009The Score is a movie that had definite potential but unfortunately fell short in just about every respect. I saw this movie more because of the cast than because I was intrigued by the trailers. It takes real talent to put together such a talented group of people and come up with such a terrible movie. The plot is predictable and moves at an excruciatingly slow pace. I don't want to waste my time writing much here, but I will say one last thing. The movie has a "plot twist" at the end. If you can't figure it out at least half and hour before the end then you have never seen a heist movie in your life.
A "Mission: Impossible" that should make Tom Cruise jealous.
posted on 12 May 2009Frank Oz' "The Score" is one of the more pleasant experiences you'll have all year at the movies. It contains all the elements of what a true thriller should have. Three powerhouse performances, good dialogue and characters, and exciting twists and turns that don't cheat the audience.The story concerns Robert De Niro's attempts to retire from the heist game, so he and his girlfriend (an underused but delightful Angela Bassett) can live a normal life together at last. But when his best friend Max (Marlon Brando) gets him involved in one last job, he finds himself paired up with a hotheaded kid who thinks he knows what their in for.That's a plot outline, not a detailed description, because I feel that audiences will be most pleased to find out the surprises for themselves. Frank Oz is a good director of comedies like "In and Out," but here he gives us a movie that is alive with great acting and exciting action scenes. By action I don't mean explosions and car chases, but scenes that crackle with suspense. One of the best elements of the film happens to be Marlon Brando, who has one of his best roles in years. He provides a character that is at times funny and warm, and also surprisingly touching (as in a poolside scene between Brando and De Niro). It is a treat to see that he still has the chops, after years of speculation that he simply lost his ability to deliver a performance of real weight (no pun intended). De Niro is effective as the retiring Jack; and Norton is once again quite good as De Niro's partner on the last job."The Score" is simply a great "Mission: Impossible" with a twist ending worthy of what came before. It makes you realize what Tom Cruise's movie could have been like if the writers had put a little more effort into it.My Rating: * * * 1/2 (out of four)
Great movie
posted on 12 Apr 2009I just watched this movie in theatre, and was very surprised to see that it was so well done. Edward Norton shines through and does an excellent job with his character. As always, so do Robert De Niro & Marlon Brando. With twists and turns, it's everything that is expected from viewers and more. Although, at times, I did feel it get kind of dull and not very fast moving. Maybe it was just the suspenseful parts I couldn't handle, but it was great. Not that long either, you should see it.
Standard heist movie, but pretty good
posted on 31 Mar 2009I went to see this movie and shelled out $8.75 purely for the cast. As Edward Norton said, these guys could've been reading the phone book and I would've shown up to watch. Was it a good movie? Yes, in comparison to some of the other crap out there this summer. Was the script up to the standards of these three actors? No way. This is a very standard heist movie.Caution, some spoilers ahead.The opening scene is extremely anti-climatic. In fact, it's dull. You get a feel for the precision in which DeNiro's character works, but it didn't raise my blood pressure at all, nor really draw me into the movie.The middle of the movie dragged in some parts. It was all set up for the final heist, but certain scenes got downright boring. DeNiro's character is the only one that really has any depth. While Norton's character has a lot of good lines, I never really got a good feel for what his story was and how he knew Brando's character and got into all this in the first place. And we really find out nothing about Brando's character. He seems to be there to deliver funny lines.The final heist is, however, very exciting and very original. I was on the edge of my seat. And the ending is really good. You'll leave the theatre laughing at the cockiness of youth.Nitpicks:Angela Bassett's character was completely unnecessary, and her role was TINY. I heard many of her scenes were cut, so hopefully we'll get to see those when the DVD comes out.All three actors give fine performances, but I had a hard time buying Norton's handicapped act. Even though I think he's a great actor, it felt very fake to me.During the final heist, Norton's character had to know that Danny the janitor would eventually come looking for him because he was gone so long. You'd think that he would have covered himself a little better on that end. Was this because he was inexperienced? Possibly, but it felt like a huge and obvious slip up. And why on Earth did he let him live? Duh. Even I've seen enough heist movies to know what he should have done. And why didn't they loop the tape in the security cameras instead of shutting them off? They had to know that the security guards would come looking for them eventually if the cameras were off for that long.End of spoilers!I do recommend this movie, purely for the cast members. Don't expect a whole new idea, here. Like I said, it's a standard heist movie. There are some memorable scenes and good dialogue, and compared to a lot of the crap that's come out lately, this one's a keeper. I look forward to seeing the extras when the DVD comes out.
Not for the action fans
posted on 21 Mar 2009To be honest with you, I was kind of sucked in to seeing this movie. From the commercials, I figured The Score was half action, half drama. Boy was I wrong. Even though De Niro, Norton, and Brando were excellent in their roles, they just flat out talked too damn much. So, for your viewing pleasure, I've picked out the scenes to watch:1: The scene where Norton is paying off the internet guy from Ironclad Securities.2: Every scene that Marlon Brando's in.3: The whole score scene.For the rest of the movie, you can sleep, kick it with your girlfriend, anything, but I guarantee you won't miss anything.p.s. My only other beef was the suddenness of the ending.!!POSSIBLE SPOILER!! After Norton and De Niro both escape from the warehouse, the film had already gone on for about an hour and a half. Assuming that there would be a half an hour long segment of De Niro vs. Norton, I turn to my girlfriend and said "Damn this is a long movie." Imagine my surprise when the flick ends less than five minutes later!!In the long run, I gave it a 7/10 for great acting, awesome characters, and a quality (but way too short) ending.
One of the worst movies ever made.
posted on 07 Mar 2009Clearly one of the worst movies ever made. DeNiro doesn't even try to act and Marlon Brando, hailed as the greatest American actor ever, gets $15,000,000 for five minutes on the screen. First of all, the storyline is horrible and DeNiro need to retire from acting. I mean, when you look at both of them early on in their, career, they're fantastic and intelligent.
Definetly not worth seeing.
Boring and Predictable With Interesting Gadgets
posted on 03 Mar 2009My title sums it up. The Score was simply a boring crime caper with a script to weak to really liven anything up. There were scenes in which the actors actually looked pained when stating their lines. Sub-plots were introduced, not developed, and then conveniently resolved at the end. The art direction and set design were uninspired; the clothes looked like they came straight from the nearest J. Crew outlet. No character in the film was compelling because there were all simply prototypes without any real depth.
Really it was just so bland as to be almost monotonous.If you want to see R. DeNiro in a great, recently made crime movie go rent Ronin.
Great for a "Crime" Film
posted on 05 Feb 2009After "Cape Fear" I'll at least watch anything with Robert De Niro. "The Score" enjoys what has made this a great decade for film: artful casting. Everyone from De Niro to Edward Norton to Marlon Brando to the actors playing French Canadian security guards fit this film perfectly. These more minor actors and the film's cinematography also give a real sense of place, in this case a sense of Montreal. Since I wasn't looking for The Meaning of Life from "The Score," I think it was worth my two hours and I rate it an 8/10.
not the best of Marlon Brando
posted on 01 Feb 2009so I watched this movie convinced it would be a great blockbuster since Marlon Brando was in it but man I was wrong Brando doesn't do anything in this picture I think he actually doesn't appear in it more than 5 minutes we see him sitting in a chair but not like a Warhol film however if Andy Warhol had made a movie about Marlon Brando just sitting there that would be interestingbut not here it's more about De Niro and Norton the storyline is boring but if you survive the first 2 hours you will be rewarded with an original ending that makes the whole time watching worth but I'm a Brando fan so I'm still a bit sad about the role he got
No Heat in The Score
posted on 30 Jan 2009If you saw "Heat" then you will see DeNiro playing basically the same type of charactor. I went to this movie with high hopes as I liked Heat a lot and wondered if this one would come close. Unfortuanely it doesn't. The movie just sort of floats along bringing us up to the inevidable heist. I like DiNero, I like Brando and I can tollerate Ed Norton. It was an OK Flick with a bit of sizzle in the end. See a matine' and save a few bucks if you must see it or wait for it to come out on video. Take it for what it is... A high tech "It Takes A Theif" without a lot of grit. I may be wrong but I don't think this one will have any legs...
about a "good" thief
posted on 28 Aug 2009Robert is a good thief. Experienced, non violent who is asked by his girlfriend to quit. He will, but not before a last one. Filmed in Montreal, very nice pictures and ambiance. The plot is classic. They have taken a template and added some modif to it.But it does not matter. It is alway good to re-hear the same story as long it is well told. And that is the case here. You want the thief to succeed. The ending is unexpected and efficient. 7/10.