Lucky Number Slevin is a what I could only describe as a half-comedy half-crime thriller movie (with some nuances of neo-noir) – I don’t know what to tell you other than it is impossible to give it a precise category. It was directed by Paul McGuigan and 2026 marks its 20th anniversary. It is just one of those movies in which you understand what is truly going on only towards the end of it. You have to give it time for it to get good; the fast-paced dialogue and the absurd nature of some of the scenes give that dimension which I would only describe as “what the hell is going on here – how did we get to this?”.
Although the leading role is played by Josh Hartnett, he comes off a little less recognizable when compared to the supporting cast that encompasses several very iconic names: Lucy Liu, Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Ben Kingsley and Stanley Tucci. These actors bring to the table not only their fame but also their acting abilities, giving Slevin their ‘A game’. There is a certain noticeable chemistry between them which is only emphasized by the narration itself.
I do not want to add much more about the movie as it would probably spoil the fun. Although many of you have already seen it, it is one of the few cases in which I would rather let it speak for itself. My reflection and possibly even recommendation in this case is to focus on the dialogues: there is quality not only in the performance, as previously mentioned, but also in how the lines were written. There is never a dull moment and information is given through subtle hints hidden only by intelligent quips or snarky remarks.
I would give this movie a solid 7 out of 10 Kansas City Shuffles.