Lou “Straightforward” Evans isn’t a very gifted singer, however he’s bought swagger and pizzaz and panache, and an actual reward for selecting the songs he croons on varied little levels across the barely scuzzier facet of Las Vegas. Tiny bars and iffy lounges and downbeat casinos are his area, and set lists stuffed with upbeat jams (Whitney Houston and Stevie Nicks, Mike and the Mechanics and Pat Benatar, oh my!) become actual heartbreakers are his foreign money.
Being the most important star on The Strip has by no means been his purpose, however he’d certain like the chance to not really feel like such a loser on a regular basis, to not need to scrape by for each penny. And in Vegas? That type of optimism — “I’d wish to have a paid off bank card invoice!” — is a legal responsibility.
It’s “one other magical day right here in Las Vegas, Nevada” when Nic Pizzolatto’s surprisingly low-key characteristic directorial debut “Straightforward’s Waltz” opens, although you wouldn’t understand it from the Evans brothers. Straightforward (Vince Vaughn) is gearing up for an additional throwaway present together with his band, The Grifters, in a “budget-friendly” downtown Vegas joint. Sam (Simon Rex) has slinked off to a dim bar, slightly than doing his precise job (managing Straightforward and different native acts), and his eyes mild up when he spots a reasonably gal (Kate Mara as Lucy) throughout the way in which.
And whereas, as Sam tells it, “the primary rule is to know when to go away the fucking on line casino,” that doesn’t appear to be occurring for both of the Evans males. In a metropolis of individuals all the time hoping for the following huge rating, they’re no totally different than anybody else, however time is working out, endurance is sporting skinny, and one thing has to alter. Their luck, it appears, has to show. Proper? Discuss a chance.
Regardless of the dire-sounding set-up of Pizzolatto’s movie (he additionally wrote the movie’s script), “Straightforward’s Waltz” isn’t practically as downbeat as most would possibly anticipate from the man behind “True Detective,” however grinding it out in Vegas isn’t a stroll within the park. Not practically as darkish — or deep-feeling — as final yr’s “beloved star takes on a vibe shift in a Vegas-set drama,” what “Straightforward’s Waltz” has in frequent with that Pamela Anderson car is apparent sufficient: a stable flip from its star. Vaughn pours himself into the position, however he additionally appears to grasp that going huge and broad for this one is a misstep. Straightforward isn’t a caricature, even when the folks and occasions round him more and more really feel that means.
When Straightforward catches the attention of native supervisor (and far, way more) Mickey Albano (a well-cast Al Pacino), his star is abruptly on the rise. Mickey books him right into a residency on the swanky Wynn On line casino, passing the entire thing off as a part of his newfound curiosity in giving again to the little folks, not his bone-deep curiosity in searching for himself. Entanglements abound: Mickey can be pleasant with Lucy, whom Sam pretends to not know, if solely as a result of he’s bought the nice sense to not present Mickey all his playing cards. And when Sam cooks up a very silly scheme to make some fast money, there’s little doubt a heavy like Mickey isn’t going to love it.
What Straightforward lacks up for in apparent vocal potential — although everybody round him, particularly Sam, is all the time fast to remind him he’s the perfect singer on the town — he greater than makes up for with flash. However that kind of flash isn’t probably the most pure match for Pizzolatto, whose personal sensibility appears to be at odds with the story at hand. Tonal disparities are sometimes on provide, with Pizzolatto going for darker stuff (somebody is gonna break your legs, sucka!) and Vaughn infusing the entire thing with continuous, hangdog attraction. Straightforward is the type of dude who sings “The Little Drummer Boy” prefer it’s the saddest music on the planet, however that’s not ok for Pizzolatto, who opts to shoot that efficiency in black and white, as a result of why not.
Regardless of the assorted dramas that swirl round this group of Vegas locals and wannabes, “Straightforward’s Waltz” meanders towards the majority of its actual punch, with its plot solely kicking in long gone its midway mark. By then, Straightforward has grow to be a viral hit, Sam has dug himself in means too deep, and Mickey is itching to point out his true colours. Audiences would possibly virtually be keen to listen to a basic limb-breaking menace by then, as a result of far an excessive amount of of this has been, effectively, a bit too simple taking place.
Grade: B-
“Straightforward’s Waltz” premiered on the 2025 Toronto Worldwide Movie Competition. It’s at the moment searching for U.S. distribution.
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