Ahoy, squirts! Quint here. If you're new to AICN or don't pay me much mind (understandably), then I must ask you to click the below poster and purchase this obscure Michael Caine/Shirley MacLaine film called Gambit. I know it's a lot to ask on a blind buy, but it's worth it.
I love this movie, I talk about it whenever I have the chance and with a remake currently moving forward very quickly I feel even more pressure to push it on cinephiles before the unique moment(s) of this film are spoiled in the first TV spot for the remake.
We've known The Coen Bros wrote a script for this remake a few years ago. Outside of their initial script they're not currently attached in any way, shape or form to this remake (as far as I know), which includes any revisions, etc...
The Last Station's Michael Hoffman is directing the remake, based on the original film about a smooth thief and his beautiful showgirl accomplice who plan to steal a priceless work of art from a powerfully rich man.
In the Michael Caine role is Colin Firth... fantastic casting. In the Shirley MacLaine role is Cameron Diaz... not so thrilled about that casting. I'd have gone for Rachel Weisz or waited until Natalie Portman popped and cast her. Diaz isn't bad at what she does, but once you see what MacLaine does in the original you'll understand why I don't think she's at all a right fit for the character.
All that stuff was known before today, but the big news is that Alan Rickman has signed on to play the rich Shahbandar, filling the shoes that the great Herbert Lom left. Lom was brilliant in the original and I'm thrilled to death at the casting of Rickman in this part. I'm thrilled whenever Rickman is cast in anything, but particularly this part is perfect for him.
Also joining the cast is Sir Tom Courteney (Pasha from Doctor Zhivago) playing "The Major."
The description of the plot in the press release sounds a little different ("a London art curator who enlists a Texas Rodeo Queen (Diaz) in a scheme to con the richest man in England" isn't note for note the original), but I have to imagine the twist, as it were... the hook of the original will be used. It's too good not to.
That's why I insist on you watching the original. It's a fantastic comedy. Nobody can say how the remake will turn out, but I can say you can't go wrong with the original flick.
-Quint
quint@aintitcool.com
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