Ronin, in Japanese, is a fallen Samurai. The one, who lives in disgrace after failing to protect his master’s life, disowned and wandering aimlessly. The story is set in modern day France with a host of French characters. The Japanese title comes into relevance only towards the end. So should you sit through the entire movie? The answer is yes. This movie is watchable, especially if you have an appetite for destruction of property. The movie stars Robert Di Niro, Jean Reno (yet again in a Frenchman’s role), Natasha McElhone, Jonathan Pryce and Sean Bean, who appears in a small role.
The Story
A beautiful Irishwoman (McElhone) who reports to an under-ground renegade of the IRA (Pryce) secretly recruits a group of mercenaries including De Niro, Reno and Bean. Their job is to steal a metal suitcase from a bank, when it is being moved to another location on an appointed day. Pryce wants to sell it to some Russians who are after it. What is in the case is never known throughout the movie and is irrelevant (how about that for a change?). But it is supposed to be valuable. The heist works, but there is a traitor among them (Kaante?). He steals the case at the last moment and makes away. Reno, the girl and De Niro survive. The rest of the movie is a hunt by Reno and De Niro who pair up, with the Russians, Pryce and McElhone launching their own. The climax is at a Russian figure skating ballet where all the characters resurface along with the case and the climax goes though various twists and turns before the Ronin significance is revealed.
The USP of the Movie
If you loved that long car-train chase in The French Connection, , this is a movie for you. It has two long and gripping car chases that have you at the edge of the seat. Only, the destruction that accompanies them is excessive. Otherwise, the chases are some of the best ever shot sequences in the history of cinema. Even better than the Ben Hur chariot race. The other action sequences are crisp, professional and objective, save for the destruction. So, there lies your USP for the movie.
The Plot and Performances
De Niro leads. He plays the tough but secretive mercenary with a tenacious approach. Jean Reno excels in his role and is a perfect complement to De Niro and his character. Natasha McElhone is beautiful and effective in her role as a serious IRA agent who seldom falls for emotions. Pryce hams but makes his small presence felt. The plot is no great shakes when it comes to comparison with Reservoir Dogs, The French Connection or 3000 Miles to Graceland . In fact, the relevance of the title, Ronin, pales in significance at the end of the movie. The script, the action scenes, the performances and slick editing are the ones that make this movie worthwhile to watch. The locales (entirely on location, in Paris and the Rivera) are great too, matching the pace and starkness of the movie.
There were many things worth pointing out, in the movie, that could be called as a ’Director’s Liberties’. For one, De Niro, a fallen CIA agent trying to prove himself to his masters does not disapprove killing of innocent people in his double game with the bad guys. There I gave you the Ronin significance. In spite, the movie is worth watching.
The Suggestion
If De Niro is an icon to you just as to everybody else, buy the DVD/CD. The car chases make it worthwhile to collect. The movie is re-watchable. Otherwise, wait for Star movies to play it again on its network.
The Rating
Of the five stars, I give it two stars for the two great car chases. One star for great cast and their performances. One star for slick editing. So there. 4 stars.