Shamus III: The Multiple Cases of the Lonely Cabaret Singer

Author(s): Ryan

Location: N/A

"Shamus III: The Multiple Cases of the Lonely Cabaret Singer"

Directed by Jonathan Demme

Written by Sam Lake, Rian Johnson, James Ellroy & Brian Helgeland

Music by Mark Isham

Cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond

Main Cast
Guy Pearce (Shamus Dick Noir)

Gwen Stefani (Katherine Jones-Noir)

Christina Aguilera (Kitty Bane)

Russell Crowe (Samuel Walkens)

Colin Farrell (Frankie Bane)

Lucy Liu (Lady Zhou Wu)Diane Kruger (Vicki Von Trousse)

Connie Nielsen (Isla Fredreikson)

Tagline: "They Knows If You are Sleeping, They Knows If You are Awake, They Know If You are Been Bad or Good Because You Would Be In Jail for Goodness Sakes!"

Synopsis: Just because the Holidays are approaching it doesn’t mean that the snow won’t run red. And if it does it is Shamus Dick Noir and his wife Katherine Jones-Noir’s job to find out where it is coming from.After their last case of finally finding and capturing the Murcill City Murderer, tying up loose ends with the police and revealing the corrupt governor Shamus and Katherine seem to have restored order in what was the crime-ridden Murcill City.However it is late at night when Katherine is called to the police department because her old friend, Kitty Bane (Christina Aguilera), needs her help.Kitty was Katherine’s back-up Cabaret singer but now headliner since Katherine left. Kitty accused of killing her husband, Frankie Bane (Colin Farrell), a drunkard who Katherine met a few times when he caused brawls at the lounge they sung at.As Katherine takes the case upon herself, she doesn’t tell Dick, wanting her own shot at a case well done. But paralleling Katherine Dick gets a call from his old friend Samuel Walkens (Russell Crowe), his old partner when they both started a detective agency. Samuel tells Dick about their other partner in the agency, Frankie Bane’s murder. Upset by the news, Samuel says that his wife, Kitty, is going to get off, due to insubstantial evidence, and that he needs his help to find evidence to put her away for good.Not wanting to tell Katherine about the reunion, knowing that Kitty was one of her friends Shamus keeps this secret from Katherine. However when Katherine gets information from Kitty that Frankie had a thing for hookers, Katherine goes to visit Lady Zhou Wu (Lucy Liu). But upon arriving Katherine sees Shamus already talking to her and mentioning Kitty’s name!Wondering why Dick didn’t tell her about the case, she gets frustrated and over hears the names of two hookers, Vicki Von Trousse (Diane Kruger) and Isla Fredreikson (Connie Nielsen) who could be the potential murderer. As Katherine visits them and questions them about the case, Samuel catches her and overhears the conversation, thinking Katherine is protecting Kitty, or could possibly be the murderer! But as Katherine catches a glimpse of Samuel when he has his back-turned she assumes that he may be involved in Frankie’s murder, if not the murderer himself!In a case that runs in three separate directions, that collide with each other in an epic way that no one could have thought would have happened with another death, only one of the ways is the one that points to the murderer. However will the person that knows the truth be in Frankie’s shoes before he or she has the chance?

What the Press would say:
“Two thumbs ALL THE WAY up!”-Ebert & Roeper“A Trilogy of Error that is Fantastic!”- People“A+! 3 times the fun, plot, adventure and greatness.”-Entertainment Weekly“Noir has been revived in the form of ‘Shamus’!”-Rolling Stone MagazineIn black and white, Shamus III: The Multiple Cases of the Lonely Cabaret Singer is experimental films at its best. While many may not like the parallel trilogy storylines to the hit trilogy, it brings a new aspect to the genre. In the same manner as the Simpsons episode, ‘Trilogy of Error’, Shamus III definitely has a new quality.As usual Guy Pearce is fantastic as the sangfroid Shamus Dick Noir, bringing a new element of suspense to the table in the convoluted story that establishes piece by piece.However again, leading lady Stefani charms in her meatiest part in the series yet, as Katherine Jones-Noir. With a secretive aspect, bluffing many times, Gwen certainly proves her right to add actress to her resume.As a fun fact, Russell Crowe and Colin Farrell were the original Shamus considerations. Crowe actually was casted! However, Crowe certainly is great as usual going back to his L.A. Confidential noir roots in a fun role that adds action and adventure to the story.Diane Kruger and Connie Nielsen are also nice additions to round out the cast in minor roles, but add a good quality. So does, Lucy Liu, as Lady Zhou Wu, introduced in Shamus II, Liu has a small part but it is nice to see her back as America’s favorite noir Pimp.Speaking of small roles, Colin Farrell has a cameo flashback.But the main question is can Christina Aguilera act? Well, didn’t we ask the same about Stefani? And the answer is a resounding YES! Aguilera is magnificent as Kitty Bane and has a great chemistry with Stefani as well.In the end, Shamus III: The Multiple Cases of the Lonely Cabaret Singer sticks to its original roots, and that is what makes it so great.

Best Picture

Best Director: Jonathan Demme

Best Screenplay: Sam Lake, Rian Johnson, James Ellroy & Brian Helgeland

Best Original Score: Mark Isham

Best Actor: Guy Pearce

Best Supporting Actor: Russell Crowe

Best Actress: Gwen Stefani

Best Supporting Actress: Christina Aguilera