Synopsis:

In essence, COLUMBUS DAY has the potential to be efficient retelling of a well-worn B-movie crime format that could credibly shift between being a taut thriller and a touching character study. Unfortunately, instead of infusing the material with a hard-edged intensity, writer and director Charles Burmeister instead opts for a cringing sentimentality that blunts the darker and desperate aspects of the characters while also muting the possible suspense that the scenario desires. Admittedly, the heist scenes have an effectively brutal quality, but they are presented in overly familiar fragmented flashbacks, recalling countless catchpenny heist-gone-wrong movies that flooded the marketplace since the early nineties in the wake of Quentin Tarantino. In Burmeister’s defense, the film was apparently reshot and re-edited against his wishes by producer Elie Samaha. She wanted to reshape the picture into a more straight-forward action picture, so one has to wonder how COLUMBUS DAY would play if seen in its intended form (as far as I can tell, this DVD represents the producer’s cut and there are no plans to issue the original version to home video).

It is not difficult to understand why a script like COLUMBUS DAY would appeal to Val Kilmer. The central character of John Cologne is a film role any actor would relish since he is a multi-faceted anti-hero that appears in almost every frame of the picture. As Cologne, Kilmer’s wonderful to watch since his appearance is so intriguing: With his ageing features, slicked-back hair and greying beard, the actor resembles ex-convict turned writer and actor Eddie Bunker (STRAIGHT TIME, RESERVOIR DOGS). The trouble is with this physic and capable performance from Kilmer is that it has a two-pronged effect on COLUMBUS DAY: on one hand, it gives the film a credible solid core it sorely needs, but on the other hand is so engaging that it encourages the viewer to contemplate how much better this actor could have been served in a superior vehicle.

However flawed the material might be, COLUMBUS DAY has been furnished with an excellent cast of supporting players. Marg Helgenberger (from television’s CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION) is wonderful as John’s estranged ex-wife, but the role is ultimately underwritten which makes her positive reaction when they finally meet face-to-face strain credibility. Richard Edson, who has paved a career playing low-life but likable losers in films such as STRANGER THAN PARADISE and THE WINNER, is excellent as Cologne’s gullible partner-in-crime Manny, but is given far too-little screen time and is wasted. Wilmer Valderrama is also in fine form as the contact that wheels and deals the fencing of the diamonds, while Ashley Johnson (FAST FOOD NATION) makes an small but effective appearance as the distraught daughter and it is a credit to this young actress that she is able to convey the emotions involved within a limited amount of time.