When “Looper” wins big with movie audiences, no one will want to be left out of the thought-provoking loop.
This action-packed, science-fiction, borderline-horror thriller sets a new standard that obliterates the time-traveling cliche that has plagued some of Hollywood’s biggest hits. Written and directed by Rian Johnson, “Looper,” set in 2044, tells the unexpected story of Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a killer or “looper,” contracted to dispose of people from thirty years in the future when they are transported back in time. As a looper, Joe lives the high life — overdosing on drugs, remaining fiscally responsible and learning his French — until he’s assigned to dispose of his future self (Bruce Willis).
The film is heightened with smashing special effects, witty lines (“I’m from the future. You should’ve learned Chinese.”), and quality performances. Gordon-Levitt not only is convincing in his selfish role as Joe, he also manages to pick up some of Willis’ cadences that ultimately persuades the viewer that age is indeed the only difference between the two actors. Emily Blunt (who plays Sara), also pulls a remarkable performance, dispelling her reputation as a sweet, humorous British girl for a dirty-mouthed, rifle-bearing single farm mom. This star-studded movie also brings twists to its cast— girls who want to watch 118 minutes of Gordon-Levitt’s face will be disappointed by its resemblance to Willis’, thanks to the help of reportedly three hours in the makeup room. They will, however, be impressed by Blunt’s American accent, which she does slip out of occasionally in the more emotional scenes.
The quality of the plot with its complications is more than enough to make up for the sometimes distracting Gordon-Levitt makeup. Although time-traveling, good old-fashioned action and futuristic solar electric cars are very much present to categorize the movie as sci-fi, they are not at all the centerpieces of the film’s innovation. Johnson takes the viewer on an exciting mystery ride, and it’s artistic how he pieces the puzzle so simply after keeping the viewer guessing throughout the whole movie.
“Looper” packs in not only every feature of a conventional action movie but also elements of ambiguity that will leave every English teacher happy. There is no clear good and bad or right and wrong, and even the strength of love, family, friendship and self-preservation are called into question.
Ultimately, however, Johnson manages to provide his own answers to these questions, bringing the film full circle in an entangled “loop” and indisputably winning the viewer over in the process.
