Title: Contraband
Directed By: Baltasar Kormákur
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Giovanni Ribisi, Ben Foster, J.K. Simmons, Diego Luna, Lukas Haas, Caleb Landry Jones
Movies are all about making your wildest dreams come true, right? Okay, only in some instances, but when you’ve got a film about an elaborate heist, I’d like to bet the real thing, if the real thing even exists, is far less exciting than what goes down when we catch a heist movie. So, naturally, Contraband falls into quite a few ludicrous plot holes, but thanks to strong filmmaking all around, they’re generally accepted for the sake of enjoying the adventure.
Chris Farraday was once into making runs, smuggling illegals items into the country via cargo ships, but now he’s got a wife, Kate (Kate Beckinsale), and two young boys. The problem is, Kate’s little brother, Andy (Caleb Landry Jones), picked up Chris’ old habit and when a botched run gets him into some major trouble with the man in charge, Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi), Chris has no choice, but to head back to work to settle Andy’s debt.
With his old crew by his side, Chris boards a cargo ship as a carpet cleaner. But, of course, when he isn’t keeping those carpets spick and span, he’s plotting to smuggle a Mini Cooper-sized stack of fake bills from Panama back into the US. Chris is confident he’ll be able to pull off the job, but when Briggs threatens his family, the stakes skyrocket and Chris is forced to reevaluate his plan.
Think Ocean’s Eleven and The Italian Job; deep down you know the plot isn’t plausible, but thanks to proper storytelling, solid performances and technical prowess, you either buy it completely or at least enough to thoroughly enjoy the film. Contraband is no Ocean’s Eleven or The Italian Job, but it does manage to come somewhat close.
The film starts off especially strong with a sequence of scenes showing Andy’s failed run spliced together with a wedding, giving us a look at Chris, Kate, Chris’ best buddy, Sebastian (Ben Foster), and more in their prime. When the two scenes collide, you’ve already had a brief look at the main players’ lives, which is seemingly packed with good friends and honest relationships, so when Andy’s predicament sucks them all in, it’s all the more powerful.
Also upping the emotion is the chemistry between Beckinsale and Wahlberg. They’re not even on screen together very much, as Chris boards the boat fairly quickly, but the duo has no trouble totally selling that they’re a loving couple. Neither Chris nor Kate has much of a character arc, but they’re engaging enough to keep you totally invested in this relentless adventure.
As for the supporting cast, writer Aaron Guzikowski does an excellent job giving each and every one of them their time to shine and every single actor seizes the opportunity. As much as I crave the day when Ribisi goes back to playing somewhat normal people, he makes Briggs an incredible volatile villain, upping the tension tenfold. Foster is strong as always as Chris’ best buddy Sebastian, and Lukas Haas makes for an endearingly honest wingman with a conscience during the run. Then there’s Jones who’s just an absolute natural. He’s great in this, X-Men: First Class and The Last Exorcism, but it’d be nice to see what happens when he commands a feature on his own.
And Contraband really is non-stop from the moment Chris embarks on his mission. The film clocks in at just under two hours, but the time flies thanks to snappy editing and a constant supply of exhilarating action. The documentary style shooting technique also really suits the material, creating an intense degree of intimacy putting you right alongside Chris and, therefore, making you far more invested in his venture.
The film’s only glaring flaw is the unbelievable chain of events, but what can you expect from a heist movie? There are a few details that’ll go in one ear and out the other, but it’s almost natural to let those bounce right off and make you think the characters just really know what they’re talking about. However, there are one or two details, especially towards the end, that are just downright absurd. But, then again, those pop up towards the tail end of the film and, at that point, you’re so eager to see how things wrap up, you’ll go right along with it. On the other hand, the same can’t be said for after you leave the theater and give those moments a second thought.
Irrationality aside as well as some terrible misused slow motion, if you’re looking for some gritty action, Contraband will undoubtedly fulfill the need. Wahlberg shines as the mission’s leading man and makes it not only a thrill to follow, but his performance packs the power to suck you in on an emotional level, too. Pair that with the notably exciting visuals and you’ve a successful crime thriller.
Technical: A-
Acting: B+
Story: B-
Overall: B
