Starring: Robert DeNiro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgard, Sean Bean, Jonathan Pryce
Written By: David Mamet
Directed By: John Frankenheimer
I finally decided to catch Ronin, based off of a list I saw recently of films that will be disappearing from Netflix Instant Streaming on January 1st. It’s been in my queue forever, and the team involved always had me interested in watching it. I missed it when it was first in theatres, somehow. DeNiro acting on a script by David Mamet and directed by John Frankenheimer? That’s a solid combo. I wasn’t disappointed, much.
The film plays an excellent back and forth series of betrayals, and people who aren’t who they say they are as DeNiro and company try to track down a valuable briefcast. Reno is his main sidekick throughout, and contributes only as a human being for DeNiro to bounce ideas off of so he isn’t just talking to himself. Oh, and he’s got his back. I was disappointed at how little Reno’s character is evolved, considering how fantastic he was in Leon.
Also, the film does drag a bit in the talky parts. DeNiro does the best he can, but his supporting cast is underdeveloped, so it seems a lot like DeNiro just talking all the time. There’s an extended action sequence in the middle that is fantastic. When the movie gets going, it really does it full blast.
As far as the plot, I loved the twists and turns, and the constant betrayals on both sides of the fight. It left you constantly wondering who would be next to turn. If you get a chance to catch Ronin, I would recommend it.
FINAL GRADE: B