Bag Man, The (4/9/2014)

Rated R for violence, sexual content and language.

Starring John Cusack, Robert De Niro and Rebecca Da Costa

Directed by David Grovic

Mr. DeNiro and Mr. Cusack, you owe me an apology.

The Bag Man is a taut crime thriller that follows the story of Jack (John Cusack), a tough guy with chronic bad luck but human touches. Hired by Dragna (Robert De Niro), a legendary crime boss to complete a simple but unusual task, the plot centers around the anticipated arrival of Dragna who has summoned JACK and a host of shady characters to a remote location for unknown reasons. Over the course of a long and violently eventful night awaiting Dragna’s arrival, Jack’s path crosses that of Rivka (Rebecca Da Costa), a stunningly beautiful woman whose life becomes physically and emotionally entangled with Jack’s. When Dragna finally arrives on the scene there are sudden and extreme consequences for all.

This movie totally duped me. I saw the trailer with John Cusack and Robert De Niro, I saw the guns and mystery; so I was pretty excited to see this movie no one was talking about. About 10 minutes into the movie, I began to ask questions like how is this a major motion picture? How is this not a direct-to-video movie? And I wonder if I could get a refund?

The movie starts so abruptly and then quickly jumps to another scene, I wondered if I blacked out from too much popcorn. That was the first of many questionable calls the director made. John Cusack looks like he is trying to avoid paparazzi instead of starring in a movie – too late, you can’t hide from this mess. And Robert De Niro is just laughable. He looks more like a crazy Dustin Hoffman than a tough-as-nails gangster.

It’s just sad when you see such talented actors in movies like this…what a waste.

Then there’s the story…excuse me, “the story.” This paper thin tale of a man who has to go pick up a bag and deliver it without looking inside of it is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen on the big screen in quite a while. Of course along the way he meets a cast of characters that are so weak it actually became entertaining trying to predict who he would encounter next. A six-foot tall hooker, a midget, a black man with an eyepatch, corrupt cops… seriously I’m not making this up.

I stayed to the end just to see if there was any redeeming quality to the film. There wasn’t; the ending is probably the most ridiculous part of the whole thing.

David Grovic wrote, directed and even had a small role in the film. My guess is he had some money burning a hole in his pocket and a long time dream of making a film. Let’s agree that you made a movie Mr. Grovic and never try that again.

From start to finish, this movie was a total “Coaster.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
No one should see it. But if you wondering if it is appropriate, well there is an attempted rape scene, a lot of violence and profanity.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. In the movie why did Dragna send Jack on this mission?


2. Why is trust so important to him?


3. How important is trust to you?


4. Have you ever had a friend break your trust? What happened?


5. It is inevitable that our family and friends will let us down from time to time but we can always trust God.

   Read Psalm 56:3-4

   
   When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
   
   
6. Why was the Psalmist able to say “I shall not fear”?


7. What can you do this week to trust God more?