Eddie Murphy’s Performance Is The Most Valuable Asset of a Not-So-Successful "Tower Heist"
In Director Brett Ratner’s 2011 comedy, Ben Stiller inefficiently plays Josh Kovacs; the building manager of a luxury-hotel that is very faithful towards his workers. One day, wealthy businessman and tenant Arthur Shaw, played efficiently by Alan Alda, is arrested for conducting a Ponzi Scheme. It is revealed that the hotel’s administration had invested the workers’ pensions in the plan; and now all the money is lost. Later on, Ben Stiller’s Josh Kovacs learns that Lester, the building’s elderly doorman- played by Stephen Henderson, attempted to commit suicide after losing all his money in the Ponzi Scheme. This triggers Josh Kovacs to confront Alan Alda’s Arthur Shaw over the loss of everyone’s money; and he brings along concierge Charlie Gibbs, played dispassionately by Casey Affleck, as well as newly-hired bellhop Enrique Dev’reaux, played amusingly by Michael Pena, confront Alan Alda’s Arthur Shaw over the loss of their money. During their argument, Stiller’s character brings up Lester’s attempt at suicide; triggering a two-faced response from Shaw. In a fit of anger, Kovacs yunleashes destruction onto the greedy businessman’s valuable Ferrari; causing him as well asCasey Affleck’s Charlie Gibbs and Michael Pena’s Enrique Dev’reaux to be fired and forced to leave the building. After hearing about Arthur Shaw’s money supply from FBI Agent Clair Denham, played by Tea Leoni, Ben Stiller’s Josh Kovacs convinces his two former employees to join him in getting their and the rest of the staff’s money back by stealing the funds. Stiller’s Josh Kovacs also enlists the help of Mr. Fitzhugh; a former Wall Street employee and building resident—played unmemorably by Matthew Broderick. After the group realizes they don’t know the first thing about conducting a crime, Ben Stiller’s character decides to bring in an acquaintance of his. This person turns out to be a recently-arrested criminal named Slade; wildly played by Eddie Murphy. Josh Kovacs reminds Slade that they attended daycare together; and Murphy’s character agrees to train them for the robbery. It is eventually learned that Murphy’s Slade doesn’t know how to crack a specific type of safe that Shaw possess; leading the group to hire Odessa Montero, the building's maid --played eagerly by Gabourey Sidibe to contribute further assistance. And as the movie progresses, it is important to say that while his screen time is quite limited, Eddie Murphy steals the spotlight due to his dynamic performance.
Image of (from left to right) Ben Stiller, Matthew Broderick, Michael Pena, Casey Affleck, and Eddie Murphy) taken from http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A0PDoX1VueZOdzAAZ26JzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3D%2522Tower%2BHeist%2522%26n%3D30%26ei%3Dutf-8%26y%3DSearch%26fr%3Dsfp%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D44&w=600&h=399&imgurl=i.movie.as%2Fp%2F600%2F38990.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.movieinsider.com%2Fphotos%2F38990%2F&size=43.9+KB&name=&p=%22Tower+Heist%22&oid=64f9accd2948aa582564a0d2aed40aa4&fr2=&fr=sfp&tt=&b=31&ni=48&no=44&tab=organic&ts=&sigr=1194rbcro&sigb=13g09nire&sigi=10qrujoof&.crumb=gsBpkmXzLB0
Throughout his performance as Slade, Eddie Murphy constantly has your attention; due to his dynamic delivery and natural comedic talents. When Murphy keeps appearing on the screen for a series of quick seconds at the start of film, your eyes are constantly glued to the screen; not wanting to miss an instant. And when his character first interacts with Ben Stiller’s Josh Kovacs, it is more-than-evident that Eddie Murphy is going to be “Tower Heist’s” most important asset. As Stiller’s protagonist tries to remind Slade that they were in daycare together, Murphy freely dive into a fast-talking frenzy in a completely genuine manner; resulting in the audience to laugh wholeheartedly as his delivery is impeccable. In addition, it is hilarious seeing Eddie Murphy’s Slade mockingly react to the group of aspiring thieves when teaching them how to work a firearm. His verbal comedy is a sheer delight; and the brisk manner in which he speaks is incredibly amusing. In other words, Eddie Murphy is naturally funny. And it's a true shame that during the second half of the film, his involvement in the film is significantly limited. Nevertheless, Murphy gives more than a 100% when performing his role; which is more than I could say for Ben Stiller when portraying his designated character.
As "Tower Heist's" central protagonist Josh Kovacs, Ben Stiller doesn't appear to have his heart invested in making “Tower Heist.” When viewing the actor's recital throughout the film, it was more-than- evident that most of his dialogue didn’t possess any trace of genuine emotion. In addition, Ben Stiller looked as though he was uninterested in portraying his character; as he appeared to sport the same dispassionate expression on his face for most of the movuie. He appeared as though he just going through the motions; and wanting to get the filming of the movie over with. Furthermore, when interacting with his co-stars’ characters,, there was hardly any chemistry present; as most of their conversations appeared staged and devoid of passion. I will say, however, that Stiller did have fine chemistry with Alan Alda ; as quite a few of their scenes seemed to play out naturally; and you could see that Stiller's character did appear fed up with his foe's misdealings. However, for the most part, Stiller appeared disillusioned; as there was hardly any emotion present for a number of his scenes.
I will also say that Ben Stiller did give a good performance when his protagonist first asks Eddie Murphy’s Slade to help prepare the group for executing the heist. Watching Stiller keep up with Murphy’s vigorous dialogue is worth acknowledging; seeing as the actor tried to make the scene play out fluently. Though it should be mentioned that Eddie Murphy, due to the extreme commitment he has to portraying Slade, more-than-appears to be giving everything he's got to guarantee a completely memorable performance. Ben Stiller, for the most part, just didn't have his heart entirely set on bestowing his assigned feat as protagonist Josh Kovacs.
Another problem I had with the movie was that some of the supporting performers failed to give memorable performances as their characters. For instance, as concierge Charlie Gibbs, Casey Affleck delivered his dialogue in a weak fashion; so much so that I didn’t believe the strong apprehension his character had for pulling off the robbery. In addition, the actor didn’t possess good chemistry with Ben Stiller; seeing as whenever both their characters interacted, there was hardly and raw emotion present. In addition, I felt that Tea Leoni unsuccessfully portrayed FBI Agent Clair Denham; who ultimately served as the love interest for Ben Stiller’s protagonist. I didn’t believe the emotions that were forming between the two; seeing as the two performers didn’t really seem into portraying their characters. Furthermore, like with Stiller as Josh Kovacs, Tea Leoni didn’t seem to be entirely invested into her role; as there was hardly any emphasis present in her dialogue. This resulted in the relationship between Leoni’s Claire Denham and Stiller’s Josh Kovacs to appear unbelievable and devoid of genuine heart.
However, it should be mentioned that some characters proved to be interesting; due to the fine performances by their respected actor or actress. For instance,Alan Alda bestowed the audience with a genuinely-shrewd portrayal of businessman Arthur Shaw; the film’s central antagonist. I liked how he always had a cut-throat retort to Ben Stiller’s protagonist’s promises to get even for the loss of his staff’s pensions. In addition, Gabourey Sidibe brought forward a likable personality to her role as Odessa Montero; the building’s maid that helps the group learns how to open the personal safe of Alan Alda’s Arthur Shaw. Sidibe possessed a fine amount of energy throughout the film; and I enjoyed a scene that featured her character flirted with Eddie Murphy’s Slade as they were practicing opening up a safe. I will also say that Michael Pena did well when portraying Enrique Dev’reaux; the building’s newly-appointed bellhop. He has a few funny lines and he seemed to be enjoying his role in the film; as he possessed a good amount of energy in his scenes—particularly when he was helping out with the robbery.
Unfortunately, I have nothing great to say about Matthew Broderick who portrayed Mr. Fitzhugh; who only served his purpose of proving information regarding investments during the earlier parts of the film. In addition, Broderick didn’t bring anything truly memorable to his performance; and I greatly wish that screenwriters Ted Griffin and Jeff Nathanson would have greatly reduced his presence in the film. That way, Eddie Murphy could have had more well-deserved screentime.
This brings me back to my chief concern with “Tower Heist.” Eddie Murphy, while still being hilarious, was limited to appearing in the film quite sporadically. Whenever his character was present, Murphy was always great and he was naturally funny. Unfortunately, screenwriters Ted Griffin and Jeff Nathanson greatly restricted his presence in the movie; thus resulting in giving more screentime to Casey Affleck’s not-so-memorable recital as Charlie Gibbs as well as Matthew Broderick’s overindulged presence as Mr. Fitzhugh. And even though Ben Stiller played a vital character, I really wish that more time could have been given to Eddie Murphy’s Slade; that way, the movie could have been way funnier and more memorable. But alas, that was not meant to be; and we are left with Eddie Murphy’s overall presence in "Tower Heist" being significant limited. And that, my friends, is a serious crime.
E-mail me at thatsnatertainment@gmx.com
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