Think Oceans 11 as made by the Coen Brothers, inverting Vegas artifice into a red neck, blue collar, John Denver themed heist at a speedway and you’ve got LOGAN LUCKY, Steven Soderbergh’s sensationally silly return to the big screen after a four year spell.
LOGAN LUCKY is wheeling, stealing West Virginia, where two brothers and a sister, Jimmy, Clyde and Mellie Logan plot to make a pot from relieving a raceway of its takings. The scheming siblings enlist the help of another trio of kin, the Bang Brothers, Hoe, Fish and Sam.
Joe is a safe cracker currently incarcerated in the local penitentiary, so part of the plan is to extricate this bleached blond in black and white bars onesie, and reinstall him in the pen after the robbery is just one of the delicious intricacies in this criminally entertaining romp.
The script is credited to Rebecca Blunt, a first time screenwriter, and is filled with plot twist, twisted humour – what’s with the bag man bear in the woods? – and characters who are around the twist.
It takes the time honoured trope of decent people turning to crime out of righteous revenge against unfair and uncaring government, corporations and banks. Hard working and law abiding Jimmy is “let go” from his job because of a pre-existing condition that an insurance company will not cop.
His brother, Clyde, is a returned serviceman, although his hand and forearm did not return with him from Iraq. Jimmy hatches the caper to reverse the ill fortune that has descended on the family, to lift the so called Logan Curse.
Channing Tatum and Adam Driver star as Jimmy and Clyde, a fine pairing as fraternal accomplices whose affiliation facilitates a palpable affection. Their performances are the hub around which hilarious, infectious fun fuelled supporting performances revolve.
Outrageous and eccentric, Daniel Craig gives the funniest performance of his career in his portrayal of Joe Bang. Guess the initials JB are a good luck charm for his screen personas.
Jack Quaid and Brian Gleeson as Joe’s brothers, Fish and Sam, are delightfully dim, Dwight Yoakam does delusional demented to a D as the prison warden in denial, and Seth MacFarlane as Max Chilblain, the arrogant race team owner, distils unlikability instantaneously.
So many of the males are nobs, whereas the women in Logan Lucky are the most plucky.
LOGAN LUCKY opens with an endearing car-fixing scene between Jimmy and his daughter Sadie, played with exceptional charm by young actress Farrah Mackenzie.
Riley Keough is a kickass with kiss curls as Mellie Logan, the hairdressing lead foot of the clan and Katie Holmes as Jimmy’s ex, Bobbie, is no pushover in her push up.
Katherine Waterston is a source of Southern sass as Sylvia, a community nurse and high school collegiate of Jimmy, and Hilary Swank is a missionary of extra sensory suspicion as the formidable and foxy FBI agent assigned to track down the race track thieves.
Soderbergh triple treats as director, cinematographer and editor on this fun fuelled joy ride. Wry, witty and grass roots wise, LOGAN LUCKY is endearing and enduring, with a whole lot bubbling away below as there is sensationally simmering above, for instance the subtle statement and substance of LeeAnn Rimes singing America the Beautiful over an ironic montage of patriotism and commerce.
If you’re in need of a good laugh you’re in luck – LOGAN LUCKY is THE feelgood flick of the moment.