The Lookout is a story about a man who once had everything who quickly becomes the man with nothing. Joseph Gordon Levitt plays Chris Pratt. In the beginning, Pratt has everything. He has a nice car, he’s a hockey star, and he has a hot girlfriend. Everyone knows who he is and there is no doubt this teenager is a rising, rich little star. Then, the accident happened. Chris Pratt winds up crashing his car. One of his friends die, his girlfriend loses her legs, and Chris he gets off lucky with brain damage.

This is where the bulk of the movie takes place. Watching Chris Pratt deal with day to day life. He lives with a blind man and they have plans of opening a business together. However, Chris has to make lists and has trouble remembering things, like taking the keys out of the car before he locks the door. However, while making new friends Chris Pratt has a chance to turn his life around. He has a chance to gain the power to become the man he once was. The one who holds the money has the power and Chris wouldn’t mind being taken seriously for a change. All he has to do is be The Lookout.

Joseph Gordon Levitt proves once again that he is an amazing actor. Chris Pratt is complex and has a hard time dealing with his haunting past. Of course, when you go from having everything to remembering what you had while having nothing, things can be rough. In present day Chris is the night janitor of a bank. He mops and cleans up all night to prepare for the next business day. He has dreams of the man he once was while he deals with the pain and frustration of being unable to do everyday things like open tomato cans.

He longs to be a big man again and some new people want to help him get there. As he longs for that normal life he meets Gary Spargo (Matthew Goode). Spargo is a smooth talking criminal who is obvious bad news. Playing on Pratt’s old memories and need for acceptance he drags him into a web of trouble that includes a seductive new pseudo-girlfriend that helps ease Chris into the scheme. The audience is ahead of Chris on this one. You know the evil that is awaiting him before he does. Of course, that is to be expected.

Directed by screenwriter, Scott Frank, The Lookout is stunning in every way. There is action, drama, and a compassion that most bank heist movies seem to lack. You feel for Chris and you want him to make the right choice. You want him to make it out alive, even if you aren’t sure that could happen. The entire experience will leave you glued to your seat.

The supporting cast including Jeff Daniels as the blind roommate and Matthew Goode as the criminal “friend” are simply excellent. However, Gordon Levitt makes this movie a winner. Similar to his stand up, stand out performance in Brick, he raises the bar in Hollywood and proves you don’t need a $300 million budget to do it. All you need is a good script and someone like him to play the part.

The Lookout gives you everything you need to know and nothing when it comes to fillers or off topic unnecessary crap. It’s spot on. Now if only the rest of the movies I see could be this good. The extras for The Lookout include Behind the Mind of Chris Pratt, video commentary, and Sequencing the Lookout. The entire package is one that you won’t want to miss. If you’re a Gordon-Levitt fan you will be in heaven and if you’re not, you will become one after this.

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