Reviews & Previews - Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 07:00 PM

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

By: S. Tran

Starring: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
Directed by: Doug Liman
Running Time: 119 Minutes
Rated: Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence, intense action, sexual content and brief strong language.

Honey I'm Home!

Did they or didn't they? Is she a harpie who plucked him away from his wife? Is he a cad who fell for the pouty lips and seductive smile? Ahhhhh, who cares, they managed to make a fun summer movie.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a good popcorn film and much like that overpriced, extra large bucket of popcorn you'll enjoy it while it lasts then leave the empty bucket on the floor of the theatre. Some people will see it because they are intrigued by the story line, others will see it to check out whether the on screen chemistry of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in the title roles matches the rumours of romance between the two (it does).

The film tells the tale of John and Jane Smith, a normal, if insanely hot, suburban couple going through the marriage blahs. In reality, each is a skilled assassin who has managed to keep this fact from the other. Sounds ridiculous? It is. Luckily for us the film knows how goofy this is and plays for laughs all the way through.

Writer Simon Kinberg keeps everything light and fluffy and director Doug Liman never lets things get too serious, even during the action sequences. Pitt and Jolie are perfectly cast in their roles. It's hard to imagine Nicole Kidman, who was originally cast as Mrs. Smith, pulling off the physically demanding role the same way Jolie does here.

The two stars recognize that they are in a fun movie and it looks like they are having a good time in their roles. Pitt deserves special recognition for the small moments of comedy he brings, like when he punches the air in frustration after having his weapons stolen.

Vince Vaughn also has a small role as Pitt's co-worker. Nobody plays the offbeat, wacky friend better than Vince Vaughn and he manages to steal each scene he is in with his rapid fire delivery and over the top antics.

The movie's plot has the Smiths finding out that each is an assassin and from there the two engage in a cat and mouse game, trying, but not really trying, to kill each other. Of course in the end they have to team up and fight their common enemy. Who is the common enemy? Uh..we don't really know. Something about their former employers who remain unknown, and a rule about assassins not marrying each other? If you are thinking this movie is light on plot it is.

Like popcorn you're going to find some un-popped kernels at the bottom of the bag and in this case that would be the flimsy plot. The movie manages to entertain for a good 100 minutes but the last 19 minutes peter out without any real payoff. It tries to hide this fact by using lots of slow motion gunfights and cool explosions but never really succeeds.

The movie is well directed by Doug Liman and provides for some great visuals, especially those scenes that take place in Colombia when the Smiths first meet. However, the action scenes suffer from shots that are too close combined with edits that are too quick. In trying to convey a sense of speed and action Liman instead only manages to make the audience dizzy and confused. Compared to the way he directed and shot the fights in The Bourne Identity I was disappointed.

Overall the movie is good fun and provides some welcome laughs. Plus Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are great eye candy for the men and women in the audience.

3.5 out of 5 stars.