THE OPPORTUNISTS

THE OPPORTUNISTS is a mildly dark and depressing look into the life of Victor Kelly (Christopher Walken), a Brooklyn mechanic struggling to make ends meet and pay off his debts. As owner of the rundown Vic’s Garage, he sees little money come his way, not even enough to pay his rent. Vic’s daughter, Miriam, and his Aunt, Dee, live a simple life with him in a small suburban home. Unexpectedly, Vic’s cousin, Michael, comes into town from Ireland looking to stay with Vic and start a new life. Michael is determined to get Vic involved in a scheme that could make them both a lot of money. It is dangerous, considering Vic’s previous criminal background, but greed takes over, and he finally agrees.

The movie centers on Vic, Michael and their two friends who attempt to break into a company’s vault and steal a good deal of money. Vic’s two friends work as security guards for a company that transfers money, mostly cash, and they are certain they can successfully steal from their boss. Vic immediately takes charge of the operation, and they go to great lengths to deceive everyone around them in order to steal the money. When the scheme goes awry, the movie begins to pick up, but the moral and ethical choices of the characters are disappointing, and some events are unrealistic.

Regrettably, THE OPPORTUNISTS sends viewers a distorted message that lying and breaking laws have consequences that can be escaped. There was no mention of God in the movie, even in times of need, except to take the Lord’s name in vain. Throughout the movie, Vic tries to make up for mistakes he made in the past by committing another crime, which he feels will give him the money he needs to make his life better. His cousin, Michael, plays the part of the evil apprentice, coaxing Vic into taking part in the heist from the moment he comes into town. Michael tries to redeem himself in the wrong way, proving he is lost without a moral conscience. Another disturbing moment occurs in the film when Michael asks Vic’s daughter, Miriam, for a date. Even though she believes Michael to be her father’s cousin, she accepts.

Christopher Walken’s talents were wasted on this film because of its poor plot and dragging dialogue. Like a number of movies that Walken has contributed to in the past, such as EXCESS BAGGAGE with Alicia Silverstone, PULP FICTION with John Travolta and SLEEPY HOLLOW with Johnny Depp, this production was pointless. The audience was filled with no redeeming values, only a wrong idea of how laws in our country are carried out. Viewers probably will spend an hour and a half of asking themselves, “Why was this movie made?”