The Man’s a crime against Toronto
The Man O Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Eugene Levy, Miguel Ferrer, Luke Goss, Anthony Mackie. Directed by Les Mayfield. 84 minutes. At major theatres. 14A At what point do you know that a movie isn’t just bad, it’s offthesurrender-all-hope, no- turning- back bad?
Personally, I’d suggest it’s when the stand- in city — in this case Toronto, making what feels like its 65th recent appearance as Detroit — turns in a performance every bit as lame and unconvincing as the cast.
It’s true, alas. As drab and unmotivated as Samuel L. Jackson and Eugene Levy are in this indifferent, phoned- in, salt- andpepper mid-’ 80s action- comedy throwback, Toronto is every bit as uninspired. Glaringly nonDetroit street signs flash by, red streetcars rumble across the screen and the skyline is conspicuously adorned with luminous Canadian bank- tower logos.
This wouldn’t irk so much if The Man — which casts Jackson as a tightly dreadlocked, mofospewing federal agent with ( surprise!) an attitude problem and Eugene Levy as a dorky, fartprone dental supply salesman who gets mistaken for an arms trafficker — wasn’t so dispiritingly awful.
I mean, why implicate Toronto?
Barely directed by Les Mayfield ( Blue Streak, American Outlaws), The Man feels like one of those movies that blew what little load of inspiration it had once the concept and casting — Jackson as the gangsta- talkin’ rogue fed! Levy as the flatulent nerd! — had been locked in. Everything else — script, shooting, editing, even rote badass classics soundtrack — is mere formality, details to be briskly checked off before the result makes its fleeting streak through the multiplex before the fall blockbusters hit.
Strangely, however, I do find myself looking forward to the special-edition DVD. I have a feeling it may be the very first for which even the cast and crew commentaries will be phoned in.