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Saturday, July 9, 2011

MOVIE REVIEW
Mr. Nice
An Oxford Man, Hooked On The Phonics Of Drugs


Rhys Ifans as Howard Marks aka Mr. Nice, in Bernard Rose's drama "Mr. Nice". MPI Media
 
by Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com        FOLLOW
Saturday, July 9, 2011

Bernard Rose's moody, semi-levitating biopic "Mr. Nice" captures the true story of Howard Marks, an Oxford University-educated Welshman who became one of the world's most significant cannabis dealers.  Marks also delved into his product and a host of other disciplines, becoming a renaissance man of sorts in the 1970s and 80s, including as a spy for MI6.  It's an extraordinary journey that Mr. Rose, who also edited, wrote and shot the film, tells well.  I loved this two-hour journey, which is never glorified and doesn't exalt its title character.  "Mr. Nice" is currently making its way around the U.S.

Rhys Ifans ("Enduring Love", "Human Nature", "Greenberg") brings flamboyancy and charisma as Howard Marks, narrating "Mr. Nice" in the same droll way he intoned in last year's documentary "Exit Through The Gift Shop".  Howard loves his wife Judy, who loves him but loves his drug dealing a whole lot less.  This perfect couple love being with each other, and at times Howard loves the drugs he uses and smuggles just a little more.  He sells his product and lovingly wallows in it.  He loves his wife, and Mr. Rose's film proudly shows this.  Judy and Howard have children, they live a financially secure life and are relatively happy people, as happy goes.

Mr. Ifans, who has an androgyny suiting many of his roles, brings glee, zest and confidence to Howard Marks, who among his 43 aliases had the name "Mr. Nice" (pronounced "Mr. Niece" by the authorities who pursued him as a fugitive for several years in the 1970s and 80s.)  The actor never tries to get ahead of the style tones that Mr. Rose's alternately sepia-toned and sunny cinematography deliver: a wafting, oozing dreaminess that smothers this fascinating tale so effortlessly.  You feel such emanations not only in the camerawork but in the presentation of some of the film's most decorated scenes.  There's an impressive order and seduction in them.  Some scenes are muted only by misfortune and malevolence. 

"Mr. Nice", essentially about the world's unlikeliest playboy in substance, has sweetness and its meticulous edges, and always keeps us focused on the film's title character, even as style becomes a big character of its own.

"Mr. Nice" drifts sensually through four decades, and through them all, Mr. Ifans maintains a strength as a leading man.  He carries a weariness and passion all at once, a man who knows his thrill ride will be halted but presses on, professing ignorance.  It's an appealing performance. 

Chloë Sevigny is particularly good as Judy Marks, the Hertfordshire-born woman.  Ms. Sevigny manages to keep a convincing English accent throughout.  Ms. Sevigny plays wise, knowing characters whose physicality is either a reserved or abundant attribute.  As Judy Marks she knows the game of life and plays her role splendidly.  Ms. Sevigny possesses hints of danger and fear in films like "Zodiac" and "Kids", and bares herself with an abandon in films like "Boys Don't Cry" and "The Brown Bunny".  Ms. Sevigny and her characters are always one step ahead of her male counterparts.  Additionally, there's some good supporting work from David Thewlis as a live-wired wanted crime lord that Howard is supposed to surveil. 

Through the changes in eras and continents "Mr. Nice" reveals a solitary and sophisticated man with a remarkable fidelity to everything and everyone, if that makes sense.  He just can't say no, and we can't either. 

With: Christian McKay, Crispin Glover, Omid Djalili, Elsa Pataky, Jack Huston, Luis Tosar.

"Mr. Nice" is not rated by the Motion Picture Association Of America.  The film contains strong sexual content, nudity, violence, scenes of torture, strong language and, not surprisingly, strong drug use, some of which is stylized.  The film's running time is two hours and one minute.

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