Stiller plays the straight man effectively. As it is, there’s inevitable satisfaction with the result, but it’s glib. If the filmmakers had been able to embody in the climax the sense of outrage and injustice inherent in the movie’s premise, they really would have had something. Once the break-in is underway, however - during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, no less - the enjoyment slips for several reasons: Murphy becomes neutered, the comedy ebbs and the logistics of the heist become too improbable and laborious. This is the rude, confrontational, wiseass Murphy audiences have nearly forgotten after all the silly kid comedies and heavy-makeup outings. With Murphy’s full entrance at the 40-minute mark, the film’s energy and amusement level kick up a few notches, at least for a while. He reconvenes his trusted crew and recruits a real criminal, Slide (Murphy), to help. Soon, the FBI agent drunkenly reveals to Josh that Shaw has $20 million stashed away, and Josh thinks he knows precisely where in the Tower it is. After the staff goes to Shaw’s penthouse and Josh takes a golf club to Shaw’s Ferrari - parked where a grand piano normally might be - they are fired. It falls to Josh to inform the staff that their pensions have been wiped out. Lester, like many others, has given his life savings to Shaw, who this day is nailed by the Feds, led by Special Agent Claire Denham (Tea Leoni), for securities fraud. Then there’s the beloved doorman, Lester (Stephen McKinley Henderson), who announces he’ll be hanging up his cap in a year. ![]() The melting pot of supporting players swings into view with the speed of passengers bounding off a carousel: We’ll soon meet characters played by Casey Affleck, Matthew Broderick, Judd Hirsch, Michael Pena, Stephen McKinley Henderson and, later, Gabourey Sidibe. Out of it emerges Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda), the self-satisfied Tower owner and investment king known for the handsome returns he always delivers to his clientele.īuilding GM Josh Kovacs (Ben Stiller) runs the facility like a cool ship’s captain, monitoring the innumerable employees, catering to the privileged residents and keeping an eye on comings and goings via a battery of video screens. The opening shot is a stunner, a view straight down at Ben Franklin’s $100 face gracing the bottom of the swimming pool atop the Tower, Manhattan’s most expensive residential spire (played by Trump Tower Columbus Circle, formerly the Gulf + Western Building). 'The Flash' Duo Andy and Barbara Muschietti Ink First-Look Deals with Warner Bros.
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