HEFE'S REVIEW OF:
BOILER ROOM

OPENING THOUGHTS

    Most people have never heard of this movie, in fact if I had not worked in a video store at the time of it's release I probably would never have seen this. But as it happens I did, and I actually found this movie to be pretty entertaining. It also holds a little bit more interest given the 2009 economy that I am living in as I write this review.

ACTING

    GIOVANNI RIBISI is not a bad actor, but in my opinion he is not a leading man. I think he is better suited in a smaller supporting role. Again this is not because he is a bad actor, as much as he is simply not strong enough to support most leading roles. He did ok holding his own in this one, but I think this movie would have been better if it was played by someone else, the need for this is most noticeable during the scenes in which he was supposed to be emotional. When he was trying to cry he was drooling, and it looked more like it was a missing scene from The Other Sister, rather than a legitimate emotional experience.
    VIN DIESEL may have had a smaller role in this movie, but in my perfectly formed opinion, this is the best role he has ever been in, and probably will ever be in. His character actually had some amazing depth to it, he showed a lot of emotion, which just really surprised the crap out of me since he spends so much of his time sucking. Most of his roles involve him trying to be cool while showing very little emotion and wearing an extra small T-shirt. Basically that is what made him famous, so that is the type of role he will likely continue to do, but it is interesting to see that a douche like that can actually do some decent acting if he wants to.
    BEN AFFLECK was also quite awesome in his role, tiny as it was. The reason I enjoyed his role is because I enjoyed hearing Ben Affleck swear and pretend like he was a bad ass. It was a fun role because it looked like Affleck was enjoying himself, not because he was brilliant or anything. It was kind of the same reason that one might watch Daredevil, only better because you get the same effect in about ten minutes of movie.

DIRECTION AND SCRIPT

    BEN YOUNGER wrote and directed this film, and when you consider this was his first attempt in both areas, I have to say I am impressed. The movie had interesting characters, reasonably important subject matter, and fairly good direction. Moving the camera along with rap beats in between scenes was a little bit too Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air for me, but other than that I think this was a pretty solid first attempt at making a film. I just wonder whose load he had to swallow to get solid actors and a reasonably wide release for the movie.

THE VERDICT

    This film has an interesting story, good characters, and solid direction. It may not be a movie that you have ever heard of, but some night when you are walking through a video store or looking at an empty Netflix queue, you may want to give this movie a try. If nothing else it should keep your attention, and maybe make you think twice before investing in the stock market.
 
 

RATING: B -

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