|
Starring
:
Jackie
Chan
Jennifer
Love Hewitt
Jason
Isaacs
Ritchie
Coster
Debi
Mazar
Action
:
Chung
Chi Li
Producer
:
Adam
Shroeder
John
H. Williams
Director
:
Kevin
Donovan
|
THE
TUXEDO (2002)
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
Jimmy
Tong (Chan) is a taxi driver who is famed for the speed and
skill he shows behind the wheel of his cab. Aside from his
risk-taking work, there is little excitement in Tong's life
and he instead drifts into daydreams about the woman who works
at a nearby art gallery. Out of the blue, Tong is offered the
chance to be the official chauffeur of suave agent Clark
Devlin (Isaacs) as long as he promises not to pry into his
client's life. After an encounter with enemy agents that
leaves Devlin severely injured, Jimmy Tong is thrust into the
mysterious world of his client and entrusted with a special
tuxedo. This tuxedo proves to be a specially designed suit
that endows whoever wears it with remarkable abilities and
gives Tong the chance to live his dreams of excitement.
However, thinking that Devlin is still wearing the tuxedo, the
superiors team Tong up with beautiful assistant Del Blaine
(Love-Hewitt) and instruct the pair to investigate water baron
Diedrich Banning. The unlikely partners discover Banning's
plan to pollute the world's water supply and therefore make
his own product the only pure product. It isn't long, though,
before Banning discovers the agents' plans and, more
importantly, the tuxedo's properties.
There's
was a natural trepidation I felt before watching 'The Tuxedo':
it's by far the most ludicrous concept that Chan has been
involved in and perhaps heralds the most obvious sign of his
'selling out' to the U.S. market. Nevertheless, 'The Tuxedo'
proves to be a surprisingly engaging caper that side-steps the
obvious incredulities of the film. Jackie succeeds in bringing
his usual naive charm to the Bond-esque lead role while
Jennifer Love-Hewitt proves to be an able foil for the hero.
Even in his short appearance, Jason Isaacs also impresses as
the suave Clark Devlin and gives a clear indication that he
would be a very able James Bond of the future.
The
startling weakness of 'The Tuxedo' is more to do with Jackie
Chan and his current cinematic position, rather than the film
itself. The simple fact is that 'The Tuxedo' would probably
have been just as enjoyable with any other star in the lead
role - there's nothing to say that this is 'a Jackie Chan
film'. Chan's future Hollywood output is likely to move him
even further away from the halcyon days that we all remember
so well and there's a danger that one of the greatest and most
unique stars is likely to be just another actor in the U.S.
Long-term Chan fans - of which I include myself - certainly
don't expect the fight action and stunts of the 'Police
Story' era, but at least some attempt to give him some
control within the film would be an improvement. 'Rush
Hour 2' thankfully showed some of the slick moves that are
associated with Chan, unfortunately the future indicates that
there may not be many more opportunities to see this. Despite
the qualities of 'The Tuxedo', it may well be the film that is
the turning point in his career - a difficult thought indeed.
Rating:
 
|
