# Out of Sight (1998)

### reviewed by
Edward Johnson-Ott

Out of Sight (1998) George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle, Dennis Farina, Albert Brooks, Steve Zahn, Luis Guzman, Catherine Keener, Isaiah Washington, Keith Loneker, Nancy Allen, Michael Keaton (uncredited), Samuel L. Jackson (uncredited). Screenplay by Scott Frank, based on the Elmore Leonard novel. Directed by Steven Soderbergh. 122 minutes. Rated R, 4 stars (out of five stars)

Review by Ed Johnson-Ott, NUVO Newsweekly www.nuvo-online.com/film/ Archive reviews at http://us.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Edward+Johnson-ott

Quirky, smart and extremely entertaining, "Out of Sight" establishes its tone right from the opening scene. Bank robber Jack Foley (George Clooney) ambles up to a teller and lays out the score with casually authoritative inflection. Gesturing towards a total stranger applying for a loan at a nearby desk, he quietly states that the man is his partner who, if instructions are not followed to the letter, will shoot the bank officer. As the trembling employee gathers the cash, Foley notices her near-panic and says, with genuine concern in his voice, "Your first time being robbed? Well, you're doing great." After calming the young woman and collecting his bounty, he strolls out to the parking lot under the sunny Florida sky to make his escape, only to discover that his car won't start. 30 seconds later, he's under arrest.

"Out of Sight" is the first film based on an Elmore Leonard novel that truly captures the author's unique style. "Get Shorty" was lively fun, but overly glib. While "Jackie Brown" was a thoughtful, exceptionally well done character study, the production suffered from a detached, logy feel. In the hands of "sex, lies & videotape" director Steven Soderbergh, "Out of Sight" delivers the goods, adroitly mixing romance, violence and humor without compromising its characters or oversimplifying the story. Leonard writes in nonjudgmental fashion about oddly endearing lowlifes. His characters are lovable losers who make us laugh precisely because they don't know how funny they are. Soderbergh understands all of that, which is why the film works so well.

The story follows Jack to prison, where he quickly plots his escape. Of course, the break-out doesn't go as planned, thanks to the unexpected appearance of federal marshal Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez). Jack's accomplice Buddy (Ving Rhames), scrambling to protect his friend, stuffs Jack and Karen into a car trunk for the getaway run, and sparks fly between the pair. After Buddy and Jack release her and head for Detroit, planning the proverbial "one last scam," Karen aggressively pursues Jack, although it's obvious that she's not entirely sure what she'll do if she catches him.

While "Out of Sight" boasts a terrific cast, the spotlight rarely moves far from George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez, who deliver knockout performances. Any doubts over whether Clooney can carry a film are removed here, as he deftly creates a charismatic, delightfully complicated scoundrel. Short sighted but fast on his feet, Jack presents himself with a beguiling assurance that never seems cocky. He's incredibly likable, even while doing awful things. Clooney looks good too, having finally ditched that silly Julius Caesar hairdo that was so trendy for a while, in favor of a swept back look befitting a movie star.

Speaking of movie stars, Jennifer Lopez becomes a full-fledged one here as well, with a breakthrough performance as the perceptive, sexy and very conflicted federal marshal. Make no mistake, Karen Sisco is an effective cop, but she keeps finding herself drawn to the wrong men. Early in the film, her father (an uncharacteristically tender Dennis Farina) gently offers counsel on her personal life, all the while knowing that his resolute daughter must find her own way, however often she may stumble.

And stumble she will, because this is an Elmore Leonard story, where the good guys are usually bad guys and everybody screws up. Sometimes they even realize the futility of their grandiose plans, although that never seems to slow them down. In one of the most telling scenes, Buddy talks about living the good life after they pull off their risky plan and Jack quietly says "You know anybody who has done the big score and gone on to live the good life?"

The characters in "Out of Sight" may be sad sacks, but boy, are they fun to watch. Along with the always wonderful Rhames and Farina, the film boasts a stellar supporting cast including Albert Brooks (as a Michael Milken type), Don Cheadle from "Boogie Nights," "That Thing You Do's" Steve Zahn, plus uncredited appearances from Michael Keaton, reprising his "Jackie Brown" role as FBI agent Ray Nicolet, and Samuel L. Jackson. Despite the large cast, every character is fully developed and their stories weave in and out, aided by a loping, low key jazz score that accents the film's non-linear flow.

It's all very complicated, but attentive viewers can easily keep up, and even if you do get lost, that's okay, because character is far more important than plot in "Out of Sight." The film has a number of intricate, beautifully staged set pieces, but even those dandy action scenes are character driven. The deliciously loopy "Out of Sight" takes a whacked look at the human condition, painting life as a series of misguided choices, a viewpoint that would be depressing if it wasn't so damned funny.

    © 1998 Ed Johnson-Ott

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