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IT'S no secret that I'm not a big fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, I mean I'm only five foot ten! If you asked me 10 years ago if I would voluntarily go to see one of his movies I probably would've laughed in your face.
However, since I saw him in Shutter Island, I have a newfound respect for his acting abilities and if the script is right, the possibilities for greatness are endless.
He has a charm that simply oozes out on screen (provided he's nowhere near a sinking ship).
To set the scene the story revolves around Dom Cobb, the best thief in the business, he could probably steal the moon from the night if he set his mind to it ... considering he's an expert at stealing valuable secrets from deep within people's minds while they dream!
His unique ability has made him a valued asset in the dangerous field of corporate espionage, but since there has to be a downside, it has also made him a wanted fugitive ... not to mention cost him all that he holds dear.
Cobb is offered a chance at redemption by taking one last big job that will set him up for life, provided he can pull it off without dying in the process. He enlists a team of specialists to help him with his mission ... so what's the catch? He has to put an idea into someone's mind, not take it!
If the scheme goes according to plan, it could make Ronnie Biggs's great train robbery look like child's play. Since no anti-hero is complete without a nemesis, there is a dangerous adversary for Cobb to defeat along the way.
What I really enjoyed about this film is that it not only manages to build suspense, but release it at just the right moment. All too often with films in this genre, it is easy to get so carried away building the tension to epic proportions, that sadly it becomes anti-climactic in the end.
DiCaprio really shines in his role and makes the character almost likable, even though you know he is on the wrong side of the law. His delivery is forceful and compelling and it doesn't hurt to have someone like Gordon-Levitt to play against. The two are an instantly compelling pair and compliment each other's performances very well.
Gordon-Levitt may not be on the Hollywood A list, but he holds his own on screen and effortlessly delivers some fantastic scenes.
The only complaint I have with this film is that it tends to overrun, it could easily lose 30 minutes and retain all of its charm.
