Pretty 'Newton Boys' shoot blanks

Who were the nation's most successful bank robbers? That would be the Newton brothers, who earned the title while never killing a single person. Known for meticulously planning each heist, the Newtons were able to take down more than 80 banks in the early '20s. Their story comes to the big screen in Richard Linklater's "The Newton Boys," an inconsistent movie with a cast chock-full of pretty boys.

Courtesy of 20th Century Fox What you talkin' 'bout Willis? Matthew McConaughey stars as rifle-shootin', bank-robbin', lady-lovin' Willis Newton in Richard Linklater's mediocre effort "The Newton Boys."

Matthew McConaughey plays Willis Newton, the ringleader of the group and the driving force behind the robberies. Fresh out of prison when the movie begins and sick of picking cotton, Willis is looking for an exciting job that will give him the opportunity to lead the affluent lifestyle that he craves. He views bank robbing as a serious job. Willis is careful to point out that they aren't stealing from the people, they're stealing from the insurance agencies that back the banks. Once the cash starts coming, he gets swept up in his newfound fortune and starts throwing around Benjamins as if they were coins.

Although he has his annoying moments, McConaughey is fairly on target in the role of Willis. During the first robbery, he goes from a nervous newcomer searching for reassurance to a ferocious criminal who shoves a gun in the manager's face in a split second. McConaughey can also flirt with the best of them on screen, as evidenced by his irresistible antics with the ladies.

Ethan Hawke is goofy and bothersome as Jess Newton. The character is constantly drunk and when he's not robbing banks, he does little more than sit around singing and making unsuccessful attempts at humor. Hawke brings nothing but a pretty face to his one-dimensional character.

Joe Newton (Skeet Ulrich) is by far the most reluctant of the brothers in his career, but he always ends up succumbing to their pressure to come in on the robberies. He's the wide-eyed do-gooder who is constantly asking questions about when it will all end and wondering whether or not the profits from banks are worth the risk.

REVIEW
	The Newton Boys At Briarwood and Showcase 2 stars

Vincent D'Onofrio plays Dock, the fourth brother. He comes into the movie later in the story and isn't given a great deal to work with. But Dock is behind most of the movie's few moments of humor. Other supporting players include Julianna Margulies as Louise Brown, Willis' true love, and Dwight Yoakam as Brentwood Glasscock, a friend of the Newtons who helps them in their larceny.

Director Richard Linklater gives the audience several clever scenes but a story that is unengaging. Linklater starts and ends the film with interesting shots of the individual characters that help to set the movie in its time period.

The main problem with "The Newton Boys" is the lack of a good story. The basic tale of the Newton brothers is interesting, but this doesn't translate to a worthwhile film. There are long stretches of down time throughout the picture, including a finale that drags on way too long for its own good. The criminals are hard to identify with, and other than Willis, the rest of the brothers just seem to be motivated by nothing more than money.

Overall, "The Newton Boys" has some interesting moments but it is unable to cash in on its potential. As Willis said: "There are a few things we Newtons don't do. We don't kill nobody. We don't steal from women and children and we don't rat." But you sure could rob a mean bank.

04-01-98