Steven Soderbergh is one of my favorite directors and he has just had one of the shortest breaks I’ve ever seen. One second he was off painting; the next he was back in the director’s chair. I’m glad he didn’t retire for long.
Shortly after his reported retirement, Soderbergh returned to direct the Michael Douglas “Liberace” biopic for HBO. In 2013, he directed “Behind the Candelabra” about the celebrated pianist for the network.
Everything that takes place in “Logan Lucky” is based on a true story. Soderbergh re-teams with Channing Tatum, who starred in his film “Side Effects” (2013), “Magic Mike” (2012) and its sequel in 2015.
“Logan Lucky” deals with brothers Jimmy (Channing Tatum) and Clyde (Adam Driver) who want to rob the racetrack in Charlotte, the Coca-Cola 600. The film jests in the credits by “introducing Daniel Craig as Joe Bang.” Craig has been around for years, most recently as James Bond in “Spectre” (2015).
Daniel Craig, left, and Adam Driver star in “Logan Lucky.”
“Logan Lucky” contains the same dry wit and sardonic humor present in Soderbergh’s past pictures including “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Out of Sight,” one of my absolute favorites from the 1990s. Also in the cast are “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane, Oscar winner Hilary Swank, Katie Holmes and Riley Keough. Holmes portrays Bobbie Joe Chapman, Jimmy’s ex-wife who deals with his shenanigans, good and bad.
The message of the film is that life is not to be taken too seriously. Just sit back and let the joy and sorrow come with time. In “Ocean’s Eleven,” both Brad Pitt and George Clooney get emotional while watching a segment with Oprah Winfrey.
Even though the box office has been dismal for this feature, trust me and invest in a ticket to see the show. You will leave the theater smiling and will enjoy talking about it on the way home.
