The Contract review

‘The Contract’ gets lost in the woods.

Two out of three isn’t bad. Powerful, legendary actor Morgan Freeman? Check. Dynamic, every-man John Cusack? Check. Sharply plotted script, tailored in mind to the talents two well-respected and versatile actors in their prime? Er, pass.

The Contract is a tired, lazy effort, anaemic in its plot, acting, ambition and direction. About a half way through the movie a sinking feeling develops when you realise that the movie is as bad as the first 30 minutes suggests. The movie plods on, ticking all the story arcs like a marathon runner on his last mile, any sense of threat dispelled by a paint-by-numbers story-line so predictable it will evoke groans from its audience. While Morgan can phone this type of performance in during breakfast, it is Cusack who disappoints the most, all sharpness and wit drained out of him by a script clearly not written with him in mind.

Avoid. There are better Freeman and Cusack movies out there.