Looper Throws Audience for a Loop

 Joseph Gordon Levitt (JGL) is everywhere you look in movies. In 2012 alone, he starred in Dark Knight Rises, Looper, Premium Rush and the just released Lincoln. He is a talented actor that showcases many different personas and characters. So when Looper came to TIFF, I really wanted to see it. Even though the director is relatively new, I trusted JGL. He is one of the few actors I trust to pick interesting scripts.  

Bruce Willis (BW) is also an actor who on occasion picks interesting scripts. Willis is known for his action but he also is very talented at showing love and vulnerability. His character can be seen as the villain yet he cannot be hated. Willis is genius in his portrayal. The audience is forced to empathize with his pain yet are torn about how they feel about his actions. 

 I was fascinated by duality of the character. Joe is both protagonist and antagonist, hero and villain. The movie showed how choices can define a person. One scene in particular stands out in mind - at the diner where both Joes converse. JGL Joe could not recognize BW Joe. He didn't seem to understand how he became the man in front of him and he doesn't want that future. It's an important scene that gives much insight to both versions of Joe. 

That scene also seems to show the infamous struggle between fate and free will. While the choices are shown to clearly define the character, when looking at the larger picture, there is a sense that there was someone behind the scenes pulling the strings. The fact that JGL Joe manages to gain the part of the map which contains the true rainmaker is more then just luck as his existence in the kid's life so early defines the boy for either evil (as BW Joe will believe) or good (as his mom believes). He is a pivotal existence for the boy in more ways then he can imagine. 

Despite the fact that there is time-travel, the movie's focus is not on the sci-fi portion. Instead, the director chooses to focus on the characters, which is why the actors' portrayals were so important. It can make or break the film. Luckily, the actors rise to the occasion. Looper is a brilliant hybrid of action and adventure, science fiction,romance and brilliant story overall. It appeals to the heart while it gets adrenaline pumping. There's also a moral hidden within the film that you just have to look for. Either way, it is a good movie to enjoy. 

Rating: 4/5