“The Big Bounce” is what you’d get if you crossed “Baywatch” with a crime comedy. The setting of the movie is Hawaii, the ultimate beach paradise. There’s a gorgeous locale, beautiful people, surfing and lots of beaches.
However, just like “Baywatch”, the film lacks essentials like plot, suspense, cleverness, or competence. It’s a feast for the eyes stretched out over 90 dull minutes.
Owen Wilson plays Jack Ryan, a drifter/ petty thief who just wants to be left alone. After being arrested for assaulting a co-worker, he is given a second chance by Walter Crewes (Morgan Freeman), a district judge.
Walter is a good friend of Ray Ritchie (Gary Sinise), resident millionaire and Jack’s former boss. Jack meets Nancy, Ray’s mistress (played by newcomer Sara Foster), who is intrigued by Jack’s seedy past of minor crimes. She convinces Jack to help her steal $200,000 of Ray’s money while Ray is distracted with entertaining his wife.
For a common thief like Jack, (whose biggest crime so far is stealing a few hundred dollars) this is a great opportunity. However, Jack never really seems that interested in anything other than surfing or watching beautiful women on the beach. He finally agrees to the scheme but is caught up in a double cross, a double-double cross and a “surprise” twist at the end.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, the plot twists and surprises are neither exciting nor clever. The film’s pace is so lazy that when it finally comes time for the “big bounce,” it is difficult to care what happens.
Director George Armitage, who pulled off a great crime comedy in Grosse Pointe Blank, is entirely too preoccupied with the setting to worry about plot. He spends too much time on sunsets, surfing and beaches.
The film’s casting, with a number of seasoned actors, seems well done but nobody even attempts comedy. The only person who tries at all is Charlie Sheen, Ray Ritchie’s bumbling right-hand man, but it’s too little, too late. Owen Wilson, for all his charm and comedic talent, is too nonchalant for the role. Morgan Freeman and Gary Sinise are on cruise control. They appear to be barely interested in their characters and show no concern for the film.
The worst casting is Sara Foster. It is unfortunate that her acting debut comes amidst a group of talented actors. All she really has to offer is her beach bunny looks, which cannot help her with acting talent.
The best casting for the film is a beaten case of Dixie Blackened Voodoo, which is prominent in the film as Jack’s carrying case. Instead of concentrating on the uninteresting film, perhaps it’s better to ponder how a case of New Orleans brand beer got to Hawaii.
