Two if by Sea

Directed by Bill Bennett, Two if by Sea follows a pair of thieves (Denis Leary’s Frank and Sandra Bullock’s Roz) as they attempt to stay one step ahead of various pursuers after stealing a valuable painting. It’s a workable premise that’s employed to partially watchable yet perpetually underwhelming effect by Bennett, as the filmmaker, working from Leary and Mike Armstrong’s screenplay, delivers a terminally subdued comedy that remains unable to wholeheartedly capture the viewer’s complete attention throughout – with the arm’s length feel exacerbated by a sluggish narrative and continuing emphasis on excessively off-kilter periphery figures. (The latter doesn’t, at least, affect the impact of Yaphet Kotto’s predictably compelling turn as a tenacious FBI agent.) There’s little doubt, then, that Two if by Sea‘s tolerable atmosphere is due almost entirely to the efforts of its personable stars, as both Leary and Bullock generally (and regularly) elevate the proceedings with their agreeable, charismatic work and palpable chemistry together – although, by that same token, Bennett’s lackadaisical approach to the material tends to prevent the viewer from working up much interest in or enthusiasm for their protagonists’ ongoing exploits. The end result is a disappointing caper that’s never quite able to lift itself up to the level of its charming lead performers, which is a shame, certainly, given the potential afforded by the movie’s relatively promising opening stretch.

** out of ****