Director: Robert Redford

Writer: Lem Dobbs

Based On: Novel (The Company You Keep) by Neil Gordon

Starring: Robert Redford, Shia LaBeouf, Julie Christie, Susan Sarandon, Nick Nolte, Chris Cooper, Terrence Howard, Stanley Tucci, Richard Jenkins, Anna Kendrick, Brendan Gleeson, Brit Marling, Sam Elliott, Stephen Root, Jackie Evancho

Tomatometer: 55/53/54 (all critics, top critics, audience)

Spoiler-free Summary: There was once a war called “The Vietnam War”. Over time, legend has lost the meaning behind the name, but it was certainly coined by some highly creative thinkers.  During the war, certain groups of Americans, some peaceful and some militant, protested America’s involvement in the war.  One of those groups, Weather Underground, was responsible for a bank robbery, during which a security officer was killed.  Thirty years later, one of the two people responsible for the murder (Sarandon) turns herself in to the FBI.  A young reporter uncovers the identity of the second person responsible for the murder.  That second dude spends the remainder of the movie running away from the FBI.

Two Cents: This movie starts out with two attributes, one good and one fantastic.  The good attribute is the movie’s premise.  It has the makings of a suspenseful thriller, filled with twists, turns, and psychological warfare between professional criminals and professional criminal-catchers.  The fantastic attribute is the cast that Redford gathered for this adventure.  As you can see from the “Starring” section above, the credits for this movie read like those of a Scary Movie movie, only with talented talent.  If you are between the ages of 20 and 80 and you’re not in this movie, you either suck, or had a really important bar mitzvah to attend.  Sadly, the story doesn’t deliver on its premise, and much of the cast is wasted on small, insignificant roles.

Once Redford begins his escape from the FBI, we end up just following some guy as he runs down a checklist of somebodies that he used to know.  None of them is particularly interesting, and none contributes greatly to the story.  Furthermore, based on Redford’s lack of urgency throughout the film, it’s hard to believe that his character really cares what the others have to say.  It feels more like he’s visiting them just to say, “It’s been 30 years, old pal, but look how freaking sexy I still am!”. And, let’s be honest, Robert Redford In A Baseball Hat looks a hell of a lot like Robert Redford.

Shia LaBeouf is still trying to find his niche.  I have loved him ever since his days on Even Stevens.  In fact, years ago, I pegged him as the next Tom Hanks, only to find a Vanity Fair article, months later, in which Steve Spielberg said the exact same thing about Mr. LaBeouf.  I believe he has immense potential to become one of the great actors of this generation.  However, he seems to have hit a wall.  In this movie, he plays an eager newspaper reporter trying to uncover the mystery surrounding the bank robbery, all while staying one step ahead of the FBI.  Lucky for Shia, each person he meets is willing to spill decades-old secrets, as long as the nice reporter boy asks twice.  I remember when reporters in movies were badass because they drank bottles of Jack and beat the snot out of their sources.  Now, they’re badass because they don’t use Twitter on a regular basis.

I’ve been trying to hold my tongue, because I feel uncomfortable speaking ill of a young child.  However, my tongue refuses to be held any longer.  Jackie Evancho, you are the worst actress in the history of the world!  Bernie Lomax has more charisma than you do, and your performance is as believable as a virtuous and disease-free pornstar.  Good job on America’s Got Talent, though.  Is Nick Cannon really as down-to-Earth as he seems to be?

Although I don’t believe they were properly utilized, I will never complain about seeing Brendan Gleeson, Julie Christie, Anna Kendrick (one of my favorite young actresses), Nick Nolte (How good was he in Warrior?), Richard Jenkins, or Chris Cooper.  (Unfortunately, I can’t say I’d “never” complain about Susan Sarandon or Stanley Tucci.)  I don’t always love Terrence Howard, but there’s no bad blood between us.  Are there better (or more recognizable) character actors than Stephen Root or Sam Elliott?  You’ll recognize Root as the gay vampire from True Blood and the unfortunate soul who had his stapler stolen in Office Space.  Of course, Elliott is known as The Stranger from The Big Lebowski and the voice for Coors beer and Ram trucks.

I’ve been a fan of Redford’s directing in the past (A River Runs Through It, Quiz Show, The Legend of Bagger Vance), but he’s not exactly on a hot streak when it comes to choosing material.  Pick it up, Bobby, or people are going to assume you’re dead.

Should I/Shouldn’t I: There’s really no reason for you to see this movie. If you’re looking for a thrilling plot, you’ll be disappointed.  If you’re mesmerized by the wattage of this incredible cast, you’re better off waiting for Ocean’s 14.  If you fell in love with Jackie Evancho on AGT, she doesn’t sing (nor act, for that matter).  If you can’t get enough Robert Redford, rent The Natural, again (But, fast-forward the parts with Glenn Close.  Blech.).

Sundae Rating: One scoop