Cert 15
111 mins
BBFC advice: Contains very strong language, strong violence
I have just read a tweet which simply remarks: "I don't know where Kevin Costner has been but it is good to have him back."
Of course, there was a time, back in the late 1980s and early 1990s when we could not get away from him.
Successes with The Untouchables, Field Of Dreams, Dances With Wolves and JFK led to studios throwing giant budgets at him but their fingers were badly burned with Waterworld and The Postman and yesterday's hero became today's has-been.
Nowadays, Costner appears to be trying to nail down that big part which restores him to the top of the A-list and I suspect with Criminal he thought he had found it.
Ariel Vroman's film certainly boasts a top-of-the-range cast - with Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot supporting Costner's meaty lead.
But it has been a box office flop. its $31million outlay only returning $14million in the USA.
Of course, by the time worldwide sales and on demand income is accrued, it won't lose money, but these are not the figures which resurrect careers.
I couldn't help thinking this was a pity because Criminal has an incisive edge and Costner gives his best performance in years,
He plays Jericho Stewart, a prison inmate who literally has something missing in his brain, prompting him to lack any emotion, particularly when he attacks people.
However, he makes the perfect candidate for a secret CIA job because his brain is so vacant it can accommodate the memories of a recently deceased agent (Reynolds).
'Hold on', I hear you say.. 'isn't that the same Ryan Reynolds who has been involved in similar transplants in Deadpool and Self/less.
Indeed. It would appear that Mr Reynolds fears being typecast as an actor who just provides transplant bits so he doesn't even get a credit in Criminal!
I digress. The CIA want to know where their operative has hidden a stash of cash and what he knows about a code-breaker (Michael Pitt) who could be on the cusp of selling vital information to a Spanish anarchist (Jordi Moll脿).
So, a top surgeon (Jones) is persuaded to transfer the memories to the unhinged Jericho with pretty obvious results.
Costner is convincing as a ruthless crazy who gradually becomes more lovable as the movie goes on while simultaneously trying to escape those who are trying to get inside his head.
As suggested, I was gripped by Criminal but I fear that Costner's star has dimmed so much that he has become box office poison.
Reasons to watch: unusual thriller with all-star cast
Reasons to avoid: doesn't quite have the edge it should
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit; none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 7.5/10
Star tweet
#TBT to shooting #criminalmovie! Had such a great time on set w/ my amazing leads 
See it in theaters tomorrow!
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