This review contains major spoilers.
Henry's Crime is a excellent crime drama starring Keanu Reeves and James Caan.
As far as camera work, composition and color, this movie is a visual masterpiece. You can tell a lot of thought was put into each scene and the movie is also well edited. There are no scenes that liner for too long and drag out. The movie doesn't feel rushed however. The pacing is smooth.
One thing I don't really like about this movie from the beginning is the music choice. This is the type of movie that doesn't need music and they play this loud soulful music over and over and it kind of brings you out of the movie in a few scenes. I really think this should have been a music free movie.
The movie begins with a tool booth operator who lives a very mundane life. Keanu Reeves plays this part very well. Judy Greer does an excellent job as "Keanu's" equally depressed and socially awkward wife. She becomes a side character quickly, but her excellent acting ability should be noted.
I love the pacing of this movie. Every scene is so slow but so much happens in the movie. It's a movie with a lots of scenes, but the scenes are never rushed. We get this extremely thought out introduction of Henry's life, but we are introduced to new characters right away. The best way i can describe this movie is slow pacing with lots of action. It's clearly a drama but it's an exciting one.
The most confusing part of the movie is the bank robbery scene. Henry's "friends" tell him to drive them to a game. They all have matching uniforms. Henry's friend tells him "Just pull in here. We'll stop and get some beer money at the atm." This implies that Henry doesn't know he is the getaway driver/fall guy. This premise is pretty weak considering how would they know Henry would keep his mouth shut?
Also his other friend couldn't drive because he got drunk and was throwing up, so how would they even plan this to begin with?! Major loop holes here.
Soon we meet Keanu's costar Max Staltzman played by James Caan. Push comes to shove you COULD call this movie a "buddy comedy" although it's more clever and less slapstick. There are some really funny lines and the two actors have great chemistry. "You came to jail to ask me to help you rob a bank?
Keanu also has good on screen chemistry with Vera Farmiga. They have a very awkward relationship which develops slowly. It's funny and quirky though. No long, drawn out kissing falling in love crap. I like the whole "play within a play" aspect of this movie. They romance each other off and on the set.
The move is deep on several levels. Henry is playing the character Lopakhin and he also REPRESENTS the character he is playing. He is also "playing a character" OFF SCREEN by digging out the old tunnel from the Theater to the Bank secretly. That is why they do back and forth between Henry acting and digging.
This is an excellent movie. If you like drama at all you should watch this. If you like dry comedy definitely watch it. The only problems I have are a few loop holes and also the musical score. Overall I will give this movie 8/10 Stars.
