Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Channing Tatum, Adam Driver and Sebastian Stan
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved a fan following as huge as Sebastian Stan. Since his rise toward stardom in the 2000s, Stan has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s renowned political figures, grim gangsters or traumatized war soldiers, Stan has played many interesting characters. Arguably, Stan’s greatest strength as an actor has always been his bravery. He is one of those actors that has never been afraid of taking on risky roles playing characters that aren’t likeable. An actor with bold commitment to his craft, Stan has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Through his capabilities to play characters that are compelling, Stan has built a legacy that’s lasting. Although he is arguably best known for his role as the winter soldier in Marvel, Stan has claimed that he can excel in practically every genre. Throughout his lasting career, Stan has created several unforgettable movies which are definitely without any doubts worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Stan and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Logan Lucky” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2017, Steven Soderbergh’s movie offered an engaging portrait of con-artists committing a robbery. Packed with captivating production, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it is one of the best heist films ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Sebastian Stan, who plays a race car driver with a plan. Ultimately, what makes “Logan Lucky” a crime classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most racing movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. A riveting heist masterpiece, there are several reasons why “Logan Lucky” is worth seeing.
Set in southern America, “Logan Lucky” tells the story of brothers seeking to commit heists that are lucky. Channing Tatum plays Jimmy Logan, a skilled con-artist with an aptitude for committing robberies. Assisted by his brother Clyde (Adam Driver), Jimmy has often gotten away with committing robberies without facing a price to pay. However, Jimmy’s life changes when he sets out to execute a heist involving immense danger. Targeting the race car driver Dayton White (Sebastian Stan), Jimmy seeks to commit a heist involving a plan. As all the odds are a stacked against his favour, Jimmy begins to wonder whether it’s possible to pull off a heist involving danger. Facing a dilemma. Jimmy questions whether it’s possible to pull of a heist involving stamina.
Steven Soderbergh has often been fascinated with stories of heists. A phenomenal filmmaker, Soderbergh has often made engaging movies about heists involving danger. His iconic film “Ocean’s Eleven” captured a team of thieves committing a robbery of a Las Vegas casino. With “Logan Lucky”, however, the filmmaker made his first ever robbery movie. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture thieves committing a dangerous robbery of race cars but he succeeded tremendously. Using strong cinematography, Soderbergh captures a pair of thieves seeking to commit a racing robbery. Evoking Michael Mann’s “Heat”, Soderbergh effectively uses handheld camera to capture thieves experiencing heat. For instance, the handheld camerawork enhances the robbery scene. During this memorable scene, Jimmy and Clyde seek to commit an intense robbery involving catastrophe. Handheld camerawork is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Craig Gillespie’s “I, Tonya” demonstrated, handheld camera elevates films about ice skating. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Soderbergh captures tensions thieves are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Logan Lucky” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Soderbergh effectively uses production design to capture race cars facing a decline. Throughout the film, Jimmy’s costumes play a pivotal role in capturing his life as a con-artist. For instance, the costumes elevate the business meeting scene. During this unforgettable scene, Jimmy engages in a tense business meeting with competitors in the race business. Through stunning costumes, Soderbergh creates a portrait of thieves that is compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. David Holmes’ music is key to the movie’s success. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that thieves bear. Through captivating production, Soderbergh captures thieves that experience tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Logan Lucky” is a heist film that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses tragicomedy to capture thieves seeking to commit heists that prove to be frightening. The film seamlessly switches back and forth amongst sequences of drama and comedy. At times, the film is funny especially in scenes where the brothers seek to plan a heist that is consequential. However, at the same time, the movie is also sad in its portrayal of poverty-stricken men facing tension. Through this deft blending of comedy with tragedy, Soderbergh creates a thief that audiences can easily relate to. Tragicomedy is a tricky technique to use in films. As Aaron Schimberg’s “A Different Man” suggested clearly, tragicomedy elevates films about facial deformities. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a bold screenplay, Soderbergh captures thieves committing heist with a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Sebastian Stan delivers one of his best career performances as Dayton. Stan first earned appreciation for playing conflicted heroes in Marvel’s comic-book movies. With “Logan Lucky”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a famous race car driver that becomes victim of a heist robbery but he succeeds tremendously. This is the star unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With captivating expressions, he captures the angst, grief and resentment of a race car driver that becomes victim of a heist robbery causing tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Sebastian Stan, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of recognition. Adam Driver is dazzling, capturing the authoritative nature of a thief seeking to commit an elaborate heist with a brother. Channing Tatum is captivating, bringing wisdom to a thief seeking to commit a heist against a stressful system. Finally, Daniel Craig merits appreciation. As a charming thief, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “Logan Lucky” would earn the praise of everyone for capturing thieves that endeavour to commit a robbery. Unlike most heist movies, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses universal themes such as grief, mental health and sibling rivalry that resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with heists to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about brotherhood that will touch everyone. Therefore, “Logan Lucky” is one of those rare heist movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Sebastian Stan would definitely enjoy “Logan Lucky” and so will movie-goers which seek meaningful entertainment. A captivating heist classic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about a team of thieves committing a heist of a competitive race, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies which audiences embrace.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 