Lucky Logan

Films are basically divided in two different categories: commercial and independent. There are tributaries along the way, but the two categories sums it up. Although when a commercial film collides with an independent film, what come out of it is a Steven Soderbergh film. You know, the guy behind "Ocean's Eleven", "Traffic", "The Informant!" and "Magic Mike". So now in the offing, we have "Lucky Logan" to revel in.

 

Trying to reverse a family curse, brothers Jimmy (Channing Tatum) and Clyde Logan (Adam Driver) set out to execute an elaborate robbery during the legendary NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina.

Both Jimmy and Clyde are in deep financially and as they are able to speak with an inmate, Joe Bang (Daniel Craig) through his family, Fish Bang (Jack Quaid) and Sam Bang (Brian Gleeson), they are able to orchestrate an incredible heist from the NASCAR race, especially since the raceway let Jimmy go from employment. Although as this robbery becomes complex, Jimmy and Clyde hire their sister, Mellie (Riley Keough)and a few other characters in order to pull this off.

 

Others to round out the cast are Seth MacFarlane as Max Chilblain, Katie Holmes as Bobbie Jo Chapman, Jimmy's ex-wife, David Denman as Bobbie Jo's husband, Sebastian Stan as Dayton White, Hilary Swank as Special Agent Sarah Grayson, Dwight Yoakam as Warden Burns, Farrah Mackenzie as Sadie Logan, Jimmy and Bobbie Jo's daughter, Katherine Waterston as Sylvia Harrison, Charles Halford as Earl, Ann Mahoney as Gleema Purdue and Daniel Jones as Judge.

 

This was eclectically and quirkily directed by Steven Soderbergh ("Out of Sight" '98, "Erin Brockovich" 2000, "Traffic" 2000, "Ocean's Eleven" '01, "Solaris" '02, "Ocean's Twelve" '04, "The Good German" '06, "Ocean's Thirteen" '07, "The Informant!" '09, "Contagion" '11, "Haywire" '11, "Magic Mike" '12, "Side Effects" '13) plus many others and TV and shorts. This filmmaker definitely knows how to keep his actors on edge with their respective characters in that they typically have to deal with different situations of their lives as the characters develop. It gives an influx within the characters which is the trademark of Soderbergh. If you like his style, not to worry, "Unsane" slated for a 2018 released is in post production as I'm writing this review. It was equally well written by Rebecca Blunt. What amazes me is that this writer has no other writing credit to her name--no TV, no shorts, no documentaries, etc. What back door did she come in from? Don't get me wrong, this wasn't perfect. The main complaint here would be to say that it was a bit long-in-the-tooth. Certainly the pacing was slow, but once the pace picked up, this story kept you riveted, otherwise, this script was well crafted. Her style isn't overly original, but it is certainly a well delineated one that doesn't bore its audience. If this is her first attempt at a screenplay, I am excited to see her progress after a half dozen more scripts. There's nothing in the near future that's been announced, but it's only a matter of time.

 

This is a light drama with a good deal of comedy thrown in which, in my book, actually makes for a better film than just a straight comedy or drama. Certainly it depends on the subject matter, but this premise simply screamed a comedy-drama combination. This had interesting characters, fine directing and writing. So what more would one need to enjoy this? Of course, popcorn!

 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                Rated: PG-13                                 118mins.