A Heist Comedy Hampered by Translation: “Logan Lucky”
A quirky crime comedy centered around a racetrack heist, “Logan Lucky” suffers from the unfortunate inability to convey the nuances of the characters’ accents in the Russian dubbing.
The film follows Jimmy (Channing Tatum), a Virginian construction worker who loses his job at the NASCAR speedway due to his limp being deemed an insurance liability. Facing financial hardship and the potential loss of access to his daughter, who lives with his ex-wife, Jimmy decides to rob the very racetrack that fired him. He devises an elaborate plan and enlists the help of his family and acquaintances, including his veteran brother Clyde (Adam Driver), his hairdresser sister Mellie (Riley Keough), and the seasoned safecracker Joe Bang (Daniel Craig).
Soderbergh’s Return to Crime
Directing is a powerful force, and power can be addictive. It’s often hard to believe a director when they claim to be done with filmmaking. The allure of the director’s chair is strong, as many filmmakers have demonstrated by initially announcing their departure from the profession only to return to it later.
Interestingly, like his character, Adam Driver is a former Marine who was medically discharged due to a broken sternum.
Steven Soderbergh, who once suggested he would focus on painting or transition to television, couldn’t resist the cinematic drug. The director of the “Ocean’s” trilogy has returned with “Logan Lucky,” a new crime comedy about an intricate robbery. Soderbergh himself describes it as an “anti-Ocean’s” film, lacking glamour and featuring characters who are not sophisticated criminals but rather ordinary working-class individuals and petty criminals from rural America – often referred to as “rednecks.”
Comparisons to “Ocean’s”
Given the director’s own comparison, it’s impossible not to draw parallels between “Logan Lucky” and the “Ocean’s” films. However, the comparison doesn’t favor the new movie. “Ocean’s Eleven” was more dramatic, romantic, visually stunning, and inventive, with a more charismatic and star-studded cast. With all due respect to Tatum and Driver, they can’t be compared to the likes of George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Moreover, “Ocean’s” felt more plausible, as it’s hard to believe that a team of mostly inexperienced crooks could pull off the elaborate heist depicted in “Logan Lucky” without a hitch.
Initially, Katherine Heigl was cast as Jimmy’s ex-wife, but when she became pregnant and had to withdraw, Katie Holmes took over the role.
Humor and Heart in Rural America
However, “Logan Lucky” isn’t striving for realism. It’s an ironic and purely entertaining film that invites viewers to admire Jimmy’s ingenuity, root for the sympathetic “losers” rebelling against the system, and laugh at the jokes and gags. The humor is a strong point, with some truly hilarious moments. Unlike many films about rednecks, “Logan Lucky” primarily pokes fun at the wealthy and influential antagonists, suggesting that rednecks are smarter and more capable than they appear.
.jpg “Scene from “Logan Lucky””)
Pacing Problems and Lost Nuances
Unfortunately, when the film isn’t being humorous, it tends to drag, as the plot isn’t as engaging or dynamic as that of “Ocean’s.” This is particularly evident in the drawn-out epilogue, which feels emotionally disconnected from the rest of the film. The movie’s emotional climax occurs long before the final credits roll, making the last few minutes feel tedious. There are also some slow moments in the earlier parts of the film, as the characters face fewer obstacles and those obstacles aren’t as daunting as in “Ocean’s,” where the protagonists seemed to be up against an army of highly trained security guards. In “Logan Lucky,” the racetrack security is portrayed as a group of inept individuals, making it seem strange that such a wealthy organization is so poorly protected.
A significant issue with the release, particularly in the Russian dub, is the loss of the comedic accents that the characters use. For example, Seth MacFarlane plays Max, a Briton imitating an American to appeal to the rural audience. In the Russian version, it’s not even clear that he’s a foreigner, losing much of the character’s humor. Similarly, Daniel Craig’s portrayal of an American redneck with their distinctive drawl is significantly diminished in the Russian dub, leaving only his appearance and acting.
Final Verdict
Overall, “Logan Lucky” is a mixed bag, with alternating moments of success, mediocrity, and boredom. While there are enough good moments and interesting ideas to warrant a positive assessment, it’s far from a masterpiece, especially when viewed through the lens of a translated version that misses key comedic elements.