The Trust

In this modestly scaled crime flick from first-time directors Ben and Alex Brewer, Nicolas Cage and Elijah Wood play low-level functionaries in the Las Vegas police force who spot their chance for a life-changing score when they happen upon a drug gang's secret vault. The directors somehow contrive to keep Cage's OTT tendencies in check while allowing his flair for unexpected line readings a bit of free rein, and the prolific leading man is great value as the jobsworth cop whose sociopathic edge is revealed when his heist plans hit major wrinkles. A surprise to see Jerry Lewis, no less, turn up as Cage's infirm old papa, but much of the chemistry involves Cage's partner-in-crime Wood hitting eyeball-popping levels of stress when the true ramifications of their discovery hit home. There's not quite enough narrative substance to go round, but the directors' quirkily disarming visuals, and two stars who seem genuinely engaged for a change, make this worth a look for lovers of offbeat B-feature noir.