Director: Louis Leterrier
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Woody Harrelson
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Morgan Freeman. Following his stardom in the 1980’s, Freeman has become a celebrated icon. Whether it’s strong prisoners, tech advisors or detectives which investigate a murder, Freeman has portrayed many powerful characters. Arguably, Freeman’s best strength as an actor has often been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors which has often had an aptitude for stealing show in supporting roles that have limited screen-time. Through his abilities to portray characters that are compelling, Freeman has created a legacy that is lasting. Despite reaching an old age of retirement, Freeman has never lost his passion for making entertainment. Throughout a strong career, Freeman has made many unforgettable films that are worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Freeman and adore all films he has made in his career. However, “Now You See Me” is certainly my favourite. Released in 2013, Louis Leterrier’s film offered a powerful portrait of bank heists. Packed with powerful production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best crime movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Morgan Freeman, who embodies a strong thief seeking to pull off a heist upon a mission. Ultimately, what makes “Now You See Me” a crime classic is universal appeal. Unlike most crime movies, it discusses strong themes which everyone would relate to. A captivating crime classic, there are several strong reasons why “Now You See Me” is a film worth seeing.
“Now You See Me” tells the story of a group of thieves seeking to pull off bank robberies that cause catastrophe. Morgan Freeman portrays Thaddeus Bradley, a skilled thief with a flair for committing intricate bank robberies. Assisted by a team of illusionists led by Merritt (Woody Harrelson), Bradley has always got away with committing crimes without catching attention. However, Bradley’s life forever changes when his team is tracked down by FBI officers which cause disaster. Realizing committing crimes is a cause for disaster, Bradley begins to wonder whether it’s possible to be a successful robber. Faced with dire consequences that prove to be tragic, Bradley questions whether his team can pull off magic. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Bradley wonders whether it is possible for a team to pull off heists without police fervour.
Louis Leterrier is a newcomer towards stories of magicians. Before he made “Now You See Me”, Leterrier has never made a movie about magicians before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of magicians that commit robberies causing catastrophe but he pulled it off successfully. Through breathtaking cinematography, Leterrier captures a team of thieves seeking to pull off an intricate robbery. Inspired with Christopher Nolan’s “Inception”, Leterrier uses cross-cutting to capture tension teams seeking to pull off an intricate robbery are facing. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the teamwork scene. During this tense scene, Bradley seeks to pull off an intricate heist with assistance from his team of illusionists. Using cross-cutting, Leterrier constructs a portrait of teams that’s compelling. Cross-cutting is often a complex technique to use in most movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” proved, cross-cutting enhances renowned comic-book movies. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this film. Through captivating visuals, Leterrier captures tensions that thieves seeking to pull off heists are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Now You See Me” that deserves appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Evoking Michael Mann’s “Heat”, Leterrier uses costumes to capture the lives of thieves seeking to commit heist catching heat. For instance, the costumes elevate the magic trick scene. During this intense scene, Bradley and his team of illusionists seek to orchestrate a trick causing tensions. Through captivating costumes, Leterrier creates a portrait of bold magicians that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is superb. Brian Tyler’s music is key towards success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing painful burden that bank robbers bear. Through bold production-design, Leterrier captures lives of magicians committing meticulous tricks facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Now You See Me” is a crime classic which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses symbolism to capture tensions that bank robbers are facing. Throughout the movie, the hats serve as an important symbol capturing powerful roles of bank robbers. For instance, the symbolism of hats enhance the FBI imprisonment scene. During this haunting scene, Bradley and his team of bank robbers are caught by the FBI for crimes that they had committed. Through spellbinding symbolism, Leterrier creates a portrait of thieves which audiences can easily relate to. Symbolism is a difficult technique to use in movies. As Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” suggested, symbolism enhances films about prison redemption. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Leterrier captures the lives of magicians that commit crimes which cause a painful price to pay.
One admires astonishing performances.
Morgan Freeman delivers one of his greatest performances as Bradley. Freeman achieved appreciation playing hopeless convicts that seek redemption in prison dramas. With “Now You See Me”, however, Freeman took upon his most comedic role. It isn’t easy to portray a magician that seeks to pull off robberies but Freeman succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and funny in his most iconic role. Freeman has always excelled at playing emotional heroes under pressure, and “Now You See Me” showcased his strengths as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures angst, frustration and determination of a bank robber facing tensions. It’s a bold performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a strong showcase for Morgan Freeman, the supporting cast is amazing and worthy of appreciation. Mark Ruffalo js remarkable, capturing the sorrow of a magician seeking to commit intricate heists causing life to hit a low. Jesse Eisenberg is excellent, bringing authority to a magician on a dangerous mission causing adversity. Lastly, Michael Caine deserves appreciation. As a wise mentor, he brings wisdom to the movie.
Finally, “Now You See Me” earns appreciation of everyone for capturing magicians enduring adversity. Unlike most films about magicians, the movie tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, mental health and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the lives of bold magicians to appreciate it. It delivers a profound message about conmen which would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Now You See Me” is one of those rare con-artist movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Morgan Freeman would appreciate “Now You See Me” and so would audiences seeking engrossing entertainment. A riveting crime classic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about committed bank robbers seeking to commit tricks using magic, it’s a fantastic reminder about a commemorated actor that has built an iconic legacy through his abilities to portray empathetic characters in memorable movies captivating the public.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 