Bound

Directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, Bound follows Gina Gershon’s recently-paroled Corky as she meets (and falls for) a sultry temptress (Jennifer Tilly’s Violet) and subsequently agrees to help her steal money from her mob boyfriend (Joe Pantoliano’s Caesar). It’s a decidedly familiar premise that’s employed to inventive and often surprising effect by the Wachowskis, as the filmmakers, armed with their own screenplay, deliver a compelling film-noir riff that effectively subverts one’s expectations on an impressively ongoing basis – with this certainly true of, for example, the same-sex lead pairing and eventual treatment of Tilly’s character (ie she’s not quite the femme fatale she initially appears to be, ultimately). The consistently engaging atmosphere is heightened by Bill Pope’s stylish cinematography, several thoroughly tense sequences, and a raft of first-class performances, with, in terms of the latter, Gershon and Tilly’s superb work here matched by an eclectic roster of periphery players like John P. Ryan and Christopher Meloni. (Pantoliano’s scene-stealing turn as the volatile and not-too-bright Caesar does remain an obvious ongoing highlight within the proceedings, to be sure.) By the time the rather electrifying climactic stretch rolls around, Bound has undoubtedly confirmed its place as an above-average thriller that stands as a top-notch debut for the Wachowski siblings.

***1/2 out of ****