New in theaters

Michael Caine offers a hundred-carat performance in the heist caper 'Flawless,' Britain's Simon Pegg flags in marathon comedy 'Run Fatboy Run.'

from the March 28, 2008 edition

New in theaters

Flawless (PG-13)

Director: Michael Radford. With Michael Caine, Demi Moore. (108 min.)

This diamond-heist movie has an unusual plot twist that lifts it out of the ordinary. (I won't say anymore about it.) Demi Moore, in her ultra-chilly mode, plays an executive at the London Diamond Corporation in the 1960s who colludes with the night janitor in a theft. The janitor is played by Michael Caine, and he's reason enough to see the movie. As a matter of fact, Caine is reason enough to see any movie. He gives this clever, somewhat lumbering caper movie a deep-seated soul. Grade: B – Peter Rainer

Run Fatboy Run (PG-13)

Director: David Schwimmer. With Simon Peg, Thandie Newton. (100 min.)

Simon Pegg, of "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz," is onscreen almost constantly in "Run Fatboy Run," and his mugging and smirking and preening wear out their welcome fast. Playing a malcontent who left his pregnant bride-to-be (Thandie Newton) but, five years later, still loves her, Pegg seems to be acting in a comedy sketch that has morphed into a film. As the rival for his fiancée's affections, Hank Azaria is amusingly narcissistic and Newton is lovely as always, but David Schwimmer's London-based directorial debut flags well before the finish line. Grade: C+ – P.R.