OCEAN’S THIRTEEN

2 Stars - Shallow

As trilogies go, Steven Soderbergh’s third film is strong.  Having created a merry band of thieves in “Ocean’s 11,” and having disappointed their fans in “Ocean’s 12,” “Ocean’s Thirteen” restores our interest.  Not only is the caper they are pulling complex but we find their motivation to be one of loyalty rather than greed, with the usual touch of vengeance.

As is true in many films with thieving antiheroes, the plot goes out of its way to help us understand that they only steal from the bad guys who deserve it.  In this film, they take it to the next level as the film ends with a scene in which the innocent hotel evaluator who is a collateral victim of their scheme is overwhelmingly rewarded for his pain so as to reinforce their good-guy status.

The ensemble cast continues to work well as the writers keep the characters simple and not caricatured.  Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) continue to be the suave leaders of the group.  Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon) retains the comedic role of being the young “wanna-be” thief trying to win his father’s and friend’s admiration. Basher Tarr (Don Cheadle) is a poetic major equipment operator who can single-handedly operate the drill that dug the Chunnel.  And Frank Catton (Bernie Mac), and Saul Bloom (Carl Reiner) and the others are likeable, believable members of this infamous group.

The plot revolves around the attempt by Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould) to go straight and invest his plunder in a legitimate casino.  The problem is that he chose as his business partner a notoriously unscrupulous developer named Willie Bank (Al Pacino).  Bank predictably forces Reuben out of his share of the casino and Reuben has a heart attack.  But the doctor explains to his gathered band that if Reuben only had something to live for, then he might recover from his cardiac infarction.   Ocean’s team of thirteen decides that getting revenge against Bank would be just the medicine needed for Reuben’s recovery.

The plot is complex and doesn’t have some of the magic of “Ocean’s Eleven,” but it is far more interesting than the second film.  The patented line that what they are going to try “is impossible” still works as it comes with Danny Ocean’s sly grin and the technical, acrobatic, electrical and psychological manipulations weave together well.

There is a subplot of a Mexican factory where dice are made that seems out of place until even that event is woven into the main story and we realize that the band improves the working conditions for the brother of one of the inside men who helped them scam the casino.

Though the merry band of thieves who only rob from the rich and help the poor is an archetypal tale, this third installment of Soderbergh’s is an enjoyable telling with its usual amazing solutions and unexpected twists. Entertaining as it may be to watch the puzzle pieces come together, this film continues its illegal approach to life devoid of spiritual and moral values of faith in God, truthful interactions and honest character.  Only love for their friend stands as a social and spiritual value.  However this group’s actions of love for their friend destroy others’ jobs, well-being, peace and relationships.  For love to be pure, it can’t include destruction of another.

 

Discussion:      

1.       When we make heroes of thieves as we do with Robin Hood of old and Danny Ocean of today, what do you believe this does to our sense of right and wrong?  Does it reinforce our morals or weaken them?

 

2.       Did you miss the presence of a love-interest for Danny Ocean in this third film?  Why or why not?

 

3.       The loyalty demonstrated by the group to Reuben by wreaking revenge on the man who broke him and thought he should “roll over and die” reveals an “honor among thieves.”  Within the film, this was described as binding for those who “shook Sinatra’s hand.”  What would be similar in your own life that binds you to a code of behavior?

 

4.       Do you believe that for love to be pure, it can’t destroy another?  Why or why not?

 

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Cinema In Focus is a social and spiritual movie commentary.  Hal Conklin is former mayor of Santa Barbara and Denny Wayman is pastor of the Free Methodist Church. For more reviews: http://www.cinemainfocus.com.