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Lucky cast: Seth MacFarlane, Adam Driver, Tom Archdeacon and Alex Ross in a scene from the movie Logan Lucky. Photo: CNS
Ocean’s goes backwoods
LOGAN LUCKY: Starring Daniel Craig, Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Riley Keough, Seth MacFarlane.
Directed by Ste-
ven Soderbergh.
Rated M (Coarse Film language) 118
minutes
By Joseph McAleer
DIRECTOR Steven Soderbergh re- invents his Ocean’s Eleven trilogy with a backwoods twist in Logan Lucky, a zany heist caper.
Instead of suave leading men like George Clooney and Brad Pitt, who rob casinos with sophistication and air, Rebecca Blunt’s screen- play presents a band of mismatched mis ts from West Virginia who turn to crime in the hope of a better life beyond the caravan park.
The resulting romp is an amusing bit of uff, a tasty confection that, like fairy oss and other sugery treats, does not linger long in the memory.
It’s safest for grown-ups, but possibly accept- able for mature teens as well.
Jimmy Logan (Channing Tatum) has just lost his job as a coal miner.
He adores his daughter Sadie (Farrah Macken- zie), who lives with his mean ex-wife Bobbie Jo (Katie Holmes).
With Bobbie Jo planning to relocate out of state, Jimmy is in desperate need of cash to move closer to his daughter.
He concocts a scheme to rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway in neighbouring North Caro- lina during a NASCAR race.
The racetrack sits atop a series of tunnels which Jimmy helped to excavate, and where
he observed the elaborate system of pneumatic tubes that funnels cash from the betting windows and concessions above to the vault below.
A bit too eagerly, Jimmy’s siblings hop on board – his one-armed bartender brother, Clyde (Adam Driver), who makes a mean martini, and his sassy sister Mellie (Riley Keough), a beauti- cian.
All that’s needed is a demolition expert to blow a hole in the vault. Enter the aptly named Joe Bang (Daniel Craig, straying very far indeed from his James Bond persona).
There’s one catch – this lunatic is in prison.
No worries. Jimmy and Clyde arrange to spring Joe for the heist and have him back in his
cell before the guards miss him.
Logan Lucky rolls merrily along, introduc-
ing more oddball characters than you can wave a racing ag at, including Joe Bang’s dimwit born-again brothers Fish (Jack Quaid) and Sam (Brian Gleeson) and a smarmy race-team owner with the brilliant name of Max Chilblain (Seth MacFarlane).
As the climax nears, expect a few curve balls – as well as curvaceous FBI agent Sarah Grayson (Hilary Swank).
She arrives to investigate the so-called “Hill- billy Heist”, which also goes by the code name “Ocean’s 7-11”.
The lm contains drug references and occa- sional profane and crude language.
Joseph McAleer is a guest reviewer for Catholic News Service.
Arts + entertainment25
Brisbane priest tells story of living faith in action
JUST COMPASSION: A PRIEST’S QUEST FOR HU- MAN RIGHTS
Fr Wally Dethlefs; Tafina Press, 2017.
Reviewed by Dr Ann Morgan
FEW people manage to incorporate passion, integrity and ethical principles in their life and work in the manner demonstrated by Fr Wally Dethlefs.
His book portrays these qualities in an unpre- tentious narrative that offers inspiration.
There is a longing in
our communities to see
these values galvanised
in the organisations and Book institutions in which we
nd ourselves learning,
working and engaging.
For those who would
love to see the disruption
of “business as usual” in social contexts where power and privilege dominate, Fr Wally’s book is a must-read.
His life story personi es the beautiful pas- sage from the book of Micah in the Hebrew Scriptures to “act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God”.
In Australia, natural beauty and economic wealth abound. It is dif cult to comprehend that the well-loved sentiment of a ‘fair go’ that reverberates in our national psyche, is so far removed from the lived experience and daily reality of a growing number of Australians.
Herein lies the work of advocacy championed by Fr Wally and retold in his book. He has tire- lessly demonstrated standing with and walking alongside those who have been marginalised. His book offers many examples of how he has challenged and unsettled the status quo; asking provocative questions; speaking for and with those whose voices are ignored and silenced.
Fr Wally’s story highlights that the important work of advocacy is a social responsibility that should be shared by all, especially those of
us who follow the Gospel of Jesus and those whose faith tradition shares the common com- mitment to compassion and action.
Fr Wally reveals in his stories how re ection on action must go hand in hand with advocacy for social justice.
In this book he clearly demonstrates his faith
commitment that is imbued with the richness of Catholic social teaching – the heart of a tradi- tion founded in the Gospel.
So often Catholic social teaching is neglected by those of us who live in the comfort and ease of a nation that enjoys freedom, peace, wealth and abundance.
Fr Wally’s stories highlight his willingness to interrogate power dynamics that disenfran- chise the most vulnerable in our community.
His lifelong commitment to authentic relationship with those who are excluded and those who are failed by systems that are meant to serve and support, is unfortunately rare, yet vital to the health and wellbeing of our nation. Such commitment offers radical hope.
This book is a catalyst for re-
ection, an inspiration for action
and a living example of belief in
the dignity of all. It is this belief
that underpins hope for a better future for all in our nation and in our global community.
For those working in education, community
development and any human services it offers encouragement.
For anyone who seeks to live out their faith in action, this book provides numerous exam-
ples to consider. It is real and at times brutally
honest. Despite disappoint- ment, potential disillusionment and lack of responsiveness of Church and State institutions and hierarchies, Fr Wally dem- onstrates resilience and courage in his recount of a life lived in faithfulness to Gospel values combined with deep faith. With- out hesitation I recommend Just Compassion: A Priest’s Quest for Human Rights.
Dr Ann Morgan works with Edmund Rice Education Australia
Copies are available from Fr Wally Dethlefs wallydet@
bigpond.com at $24.95 plus postage and handling at $10. Copies are also available from St Pauls Bookshop in Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City.
www.catholicleader.com.au
The Catholic Leader, August 27, 2017