Reviews aside, the publicity surrounding Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie over the past several months is more than enough to put asses in the seats for Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but I am going to let you in on my opinion anyway.
This action-thriller introduces John and Jane Smith (Pitt and Jolie), a married couple living out the American dream, or should I say lives of monotony and no adventure or fun whatsoever, but outside appearances can be deceiving as the two, unbeknownst to the other are living secret lives. You see, Mr. and Mrs. Smith are both actually highly efficient assassins for rival employers and once the cat is out of the bag our adventure not only begins, but it also fizzles.
Written by Simon Kinberg, who also co-wrote the upcoming X-Men 3 film, Mr. & Mrs. Smith just doesn’t know where to go once it hits its climax. Yeah, action is fun, car chases, death defying acts and bullets flying every which way is always thrilling, but without any additional story or anywhere to go it is all pretty much pointless as this film rises to a bang but falls to the ground with a soft whisper.
As an action film this one does have the goods though as the scene with the Smiths being chased while driving a mini-van is not only the best action scene of the flick but also a great example of Pitt and Jolie’s onscreen chemistry. The two are perfect together and they do their very best to carry this film as far as it can go. The one-liners are delivered with perfect timing and with playful and flirtatious ease, but that is all it turns out to be… one big tease.
From a visual standpoint director Doug Liman and director of photography Bojan Bazelli make the most of what they have around them as cool blue and dirty orange make this film very easy on the eyes as will its two leading stars, which are sure to draw in audience members from post sides of the gender spectrum.
Unfortunately, the problem with the picture is not the look, the acting or the directing it is the writing. The dilemma at hand is that these two are competing assassins and once that obstacle is brought to the floor it must be resolved, but it isn’t, leaving you a bit confused and at the same time satisfied. A movie with relentless action and Angelina Jolie in a dominatrix outfit is sure to bring in opening weekend numbers at the box-office but in the long run this one isn’t good for repeat business.
