Big Bounce, The MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: -2

In this comedy caper based on the novel by crime-fiction writer Elmore Leonard, Jack Ryan (Owen Wilson) is a beach bum, small-time thief and con artist. Fresh out of a local jail in Hawaii, Jack catches the eye of Nancy Hayes (Sara Foster), an attractive young blond with a lot of energy and an aptitude for hooking up with men who are up to no good. She also happens to be the girlfriend of Jacks former boss. The two hit it off immediately, breaking into a house and a yacht while skinny-dipping, but the big score is yet to come. Nancy has a plan to steel $200,000 from Ray Ritchie (Gary Sinise), a wealthy developer and the owner of the company Jack worked for before he hit the foreman with a baseball bat. Jack gets a job with Walter (Morgan Freeman), a district judge and beachside resort owner, whose interests are also divided. Now Jack has to decide if this caper is worth the risk and if he can really trust his new, cute partner.

This is definitely not a good-versus-evil film since there are no good guys. Even the authorities are corrupt. The hero is a thief and a womanizer who throughout the film does not change his ways, and the film is written to get the audience cheering for him. Evil acts are portrayed as humorous. The movie makes several attempts to be funny but mostly falls short; the screening audience laughed a little. Two times the statement is made that God is an imaginary friend for grown-ups. There are several scenes of brief nudity, and bad language is scattered throughout. Except for a few scenic views of Hawaii and a beautiful sunset, this film has little redeeming value. Due to the bad language, sexuality and overall bad morals, Preview will be the bouncer on this one and attempt to keep you out of The Big Bounce.

Preview Reviewer: Alan Boyer
Distributor: Warner Brothers