The Alibi (2006) November 17, 2007
Posted by gproject in : Recently Viewed , trackbackDirected by: Matt Checkowski & Kurt Mattila
Despite massive success on television in the UK, Steve Coogan’s film career has never really taken off in the same way. Maybe his most laudable role was playing Tony Wilson in the Brit flick 24 Hour Party People, although he’s also attempted laid-back comedy (The Parole Officer), off-beat art-house movie (Coffee & Cigarettes), and big budget Hollywood supporting roles (Around the World in 80 Days, and Night at the Museum), as an attempt to break-in. Now, the straight-to-DVD release of this confidence comedy with Coogan in the leading role only goes to show that little has changed.
The Alibi (or ‘Lies & Alibis’ as it is known in the US) tells the tale of Ray Elliot, a devious character who runs a very special consulting business that allows ordinary husbands and wives to cheat on their spouses by providing a whole range of alibi services. Shortly after hiring Lola, a new assistant for the business, Ray discovers that there is a $5 million price on the head of his ex-partner Jack McAdam which he fears may lead the hit-men to him. Meanwhile after an unfortunate accident leaves one of his client’s flings dead, Ray has to go against his usual code of involvement to dispose of the body. With clients, police, gangsters and killers all after him, Ray is left with little option than to try and control the situation using his own unique management skills.
It’s a nice effort at producing a film that’s in line with the recent twist-laden scam movies such as Confidence, Lucky Number Slevin [review] or the Ocean’s series [review]. It does what has become standard for the genre by setting up its catalogue of characters, introducing a problem, having the main character put a scheme into operation and then watching the whole thing play out. Unfortunately, that’s all that really happens, as the film does nothing to buck the trend or try something new. What makes other examples of the genre such fun are the problems; the bumps in the road that lead to plans having to be changed or improvised. This movie doesn’t fail to produce an interesting story, but it also doesn’t do anything except tell it straight.
The casting is fairly good, although I can’t help but feel that putting Steve Coogan in the lead role was somewhat of a brave move. His character not only runs the story, but narrates it also, and while Coogan is not an acting slouch by any means, his accent and mannerisms do feel slightly out of place in this otherwise very American movie. He makes the best of it though and gives a confident if not entirely convincing performance as the top-dog of this rather unique ‘personal consulting’ business.
The supporting cast are well fleshed out by some ‘name’ actors and actresses – many more than one would expect in a low budget feature such as this. Rebecca Romijn (of X-men fame) plays the new recruit, while James Marsden, Selma Blair, Sam Elliott and John Leguizamo all appear as participators (knowingly or unknowingly) in the scam. Some characters are required to do more than others, but all performers appear to be giving it their best which helps the film enormously.
First-time directors Matt Checkowski and Kurt Mattila hold the reigns well and manage to do quite a bit with what must have been a fairly limited budget. The movie is well shot although the editing is a little choppy at times, while the script by another newcomer, Noah Hawley, has some nice bouncy dialogue but falls apart a little in the over-use of voiceover narration. I also found that in early parts of the movie, things flew by a little too fast and conversations were almost too quick to catch – and there’s little point to having a smart plot if you can’t understand the set-up.
It’s an admirable attempt and an entertaining bit of fun but not a complete success, especially for Coogan who it seems may never get his break in Hollywood. For a comedy there aren’t really enough laughs and for a confidence movie it too nearly ties itself up in a knot during the third act. It seems that everything works out nicely, but the final scenes do rely on some convenient circumstances – Ray’s plan is hardly foolproof. Still, with a decent cast and some clever small touches (Ray’s interrupted voice over is a nice moment), the movie is not a complete waste of time. It’s just unfortunate that, like the alibi company itself, this film will probably operate well under most people’s radar.
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