The Agency's Posts

Emma Watson on 'HARRY POTTER':: ‘Nothing would shock menow’ THE LAST SPELL:“Harry Potter and the Deathly....
Read More>

Important Tips for New Talent: Dear New Talent, Welcome to the Agency! Please take a minute to familiarize yourself with our....
Read More>

Your Profile Checklist: Dear Talent, Please take a minute to look over this basic profile checklist - make sure your....
Read More>

The Man WHo Found GAGA: Martin Kierszenbaum has a knack for finding the next big thing Yes, Lady Gaga is huge....
Read More>

'The Undefeated' sets stage for new round of Palin vs. Hollywood: Last fall, Hollywood was pulled into the Sarah Palin media frenzy when "The Social....
Read More>

'Larry Crowne' premiere: Tom Hanks & Julia Roberts: Tom Hanksarrived at the "Larry Crowne" premiere Monday night on the same powder-blue....
Read More>

Can witches beat vampires? True Blood..: Something wicked this way comes with the fourth season of “True Blood,” which premiered....
Read More>

Live review: U2 at Angel Stadium: These days the U2 stage rig, nicknamed “The Claw,” looks better after dark. At dusk....
Read More>

'Cars 2' cruises! 'Bad Teacher' gets A!: The Skinny:Another weekend of blown box-office projections as both "Cars 2" and "Bad....
Read More>

'WILFRED' with Elijah Wood: 'WILFRED' with Elijah Wood The 'Lord of the Rings' star says FX's off-the-wall new series....
Read More>

An online experience for HARRY POTTER fans: Magically minded muggles will be able to experience the “Harry Potter” wizarding....
Read More>

Alexander Skarsgard gets some added bite from 'True Blood': Playing a sexy vampire on the HBO hit has vaulted his career. He has 'Straw Dogs' and 'Melancholia
Read More>
'Dom Hemingway' Review: Jude Law Shines
Posted on: 04/04/14
Share/Save/Bookmark



A temperamental, egotistical, British ex-con with a soft side for the daughter he left behind, Jude Law is magnetic as the title character in "Dom Hemingway," an amusing tale of vengeance, debauchery and redemption told stylishly by writer-director Richard Shepard.

Dom is introduced shirtless while delivering a verbose rant about his genitalia, which he likens to titanium, a Renoir or Picasso painting, a Nobel Prize winner, a cheetah, lightening and more. Few outrageous comparisons are spared.

His speech could be seen as a pathetic attempt at a pick-up technique, except he's so puffed up. It's clear he could care less whether anyone agrees with him or not — and his delusion is hilarious. His monologue sets the outlandish tone for the film, where Dom, a safecracker, believes he's irresistible and indestructible.

Fresh out of prison after serving 12 years, so reads the first of many chapter cards, Dom is more than ready to make up for lost time. After binging on booze, cocaine and hookers, he and his partner-in-crime, Dickie Black (an amusingly dry Richard E. Grant), head to the lavish home of his boss, Mr. Fontaine (the equally charming and ruthless Demian Bichir). Dom refused to rat out the crime boss and he's come to collect for his good deed. But before he can walk away with his hefty gift, a brush with death — effectively displayed in slow motion — leaves him empty-handed.

Broke, bloody and liquored up, Dom shows up at his daughter's doorstep hoping she'll welcome him with open arms. But Evelyn (Emilia Clarke of "Game of Thrones" as a redhead), now living with her significant other and their son, is less than impressed with her father. And so begins his quest to win back her affection, while dipping back into a life of crime to try to make a bit of change. Luckily, he's still an expert when it comes to opening safes.

Dom is one of Law's richest roles yet. He packed on an extra 20 pounds and rocked thick lamb-chop sideburns for this one. He's brazenly comical, absurdly grimy and believably brawny. But at times, his Dom is ridiculously unsympathetic. We're with him when he bloodies the face of a man who romanced his wife during his jail sentence. But when we discover that man cared for her as she died of cancer, it's impossible to continue to applaud his assault.

As Dom is unable to piece his life back together, especially where Evelyn is concerned, his snarling arrogance subsides and he begins to succeed at getting us to feel sorry for him. We also take cues from his adorable grandson (Jordan A. Nash), who seems content just sitting next to Dom.

The same writer-director behind the crime comedy "The Matador," Shepard writes with rousing wit, but occasional scenes tend to drag and feel excessive. Still, he's at his best when giving Dom lines like, "I only use a gun to hold up a place.Or threaten someone.Or rob 'em.Or pistol whip 'em.Or scare 'em. But no, no hunting."

It's the film's humor that also makes Dom likable. Many of the blows to his ego are due to his droll naivety. But it's a good look for Law, who checks his pretty boy image at the door to give one of his grittiest performances yet.

COMMENTS
Be the first to post a comment!


Post A Comment:




  • It's 2020! Start booking roles in commercials, fashion, films, theater and more with The Agency Online!

  • NEW WORKSHOP with Barbara Barna & Sean De Simone!

    Hi Everyone and Happy Summer! Sean at Sean De Simone casting and Barbara Barna are teaming up for a super informative and fun Hosting for Home Shopping workshop. A great opportunity for established or experienced TV Hosts and Experts interested in learning how to get noticed and how to get in....
  • MASTERCLASS W. Robin Carus & David John Madore

    A Special Offer for the Agency Community, from one of our favorite NYC Casting Directors! EMAIL FacetheMusicWithUs@gmail.com Or Eventbrite To Sign Up! Class Size is Limited.
  • Don't Fall Into The Comparison Trap

    Hi Everyone! As the second installment in an ongoing series of features by the Agency's amazing community, here's some sage advice from our own Regina Rockensies; a humble (& awesome)veteran we've had the pleasure of working with for a long time. Have an excellent week! : ) - The Agency....
  • One Model's Agreement

    Hi Everyone! As the first piece in an ongoing series of original articles by the Agency community, here's a short reflection on some of the values of professional acting & modeling that we can all keep in mind for our next casting. Good luck on your castings &shoots this week! : ) -....




 
home       castings&news       privacy policy       terms and conditions      contact us      browser tips
Official PayPal Seal