http://www.highdefdiscnews.com/?p=62263

Venville's choice of actors couldn't have been more spot-on. Reeves played Henry's role beautifully, channeling his maturity from his vast portfolio in motion picture to give Henry enough charm to pull of his emotional daftness; Henry can be rather annoying with his passivity and indifference to everything that happens around him.

Farmiga, fun as always, instilled wit into the melancholic Julie that eventually coerced both Henry and her out of their respective despair. Julie needed a catalyst to free her chains-the daunting limitations of her life in Buffalo- and Farmiga managed to help Julie pull it off with grace without coming off as a whiner.

Caan, however, was rather disappointing. It's only natural to expect some Ed Deline (Caan's role in series 'Las Vegas') charisma but you'd be disheartened at his rather unconvincing impression of a conman.

;)

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118038086?refCatId=13

Reeves has many arrows in his quiver, but screwball comedy isn't one of them. Vera Farmiga, James Caan and Fisher Stevens can do it, but they often seem to be looking back, waiting for Reeves to pass the baton. What's needed is someone nervous to play Henry. A Steve Buscemi, for example. Reeves maintains a sort of Zen detachment. Whatever happens is all right with him.

...Henry's not supposed to be screwball comedy, dammit !
and with Buscemi, it would have been a completely different movie.

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Reeves maintains a sort of Zen detachment

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...which is exactly how Henry came across in the script.

http://keanuweb.com/en/r/krxdx5eb

:)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/canburak/5688574628/

I guess no worky. But the link works.

ahem. someone chose an inspired name for this site ;)

http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/henryscrime.php

It isn't a good one, I'm afraid, though the guy admits that:

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In general, Reeves is an interesting actor who often proves capable of bringing some engagingly unexpected shades to potentially generic roles. However, he's also a passive actor who tends to fare best when he's given something which pushes him a little bit (I love the soft-spoken actor doing his best Bogart in the flawed but compelling Constantine)

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One for the archive?

He's wrong about everything else, though.

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However, I remain befuddled by the role of Henry. He is the most passive character imaginable; someone whose actions and interests are shaped entirely by the people around him. He meets some prisoners and decides he wants to become a proper criminal. He meets an actress and decides he has a passion for Chekov. The only original decision he makes is the decision to go to jail, and even that's a decision of inaction.

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