Guy Ritchie's "Revolver" is only superficially a crime caper in the post-spaghetti-western style of his cult hits, "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch." Its main purpose -- and no, you are not experiencing ocular breakdown -- is spiritual.

At least, it is in the mind of its maker. The English director's newfound beliefs in Jewish mysticism, which he shares with his wife, Madonna, suffuse this movie, mostly in the narration of central character Jake (Jason Statham). As we sit through Ritchie's familiar popcorn ritual of tough talk, loud guns and con games -- among a complex and confusing set of crime lords and gangsters in Las Vegas -- we must also heed grave pronouncements about the art of defeating one's opponent and the superego's hindrance to our ability to commune directly with God.

Or something.

Ritchie uses every stylistic trick at his disposal to keep us entertained while he delves deeper into Jake's mental journey, from a man seeking revenge on the crime boss (Ray Liotta) he blames for sending him to the slammer to the increasing fear that he's losing his mind. And as the plot becomes increasingly convoluted -- as if two Ritchie gangster stories have been accidentally fused -- Jake's tortured state becomes ours. Is he really dying of a terminal disease? Is he playing tricks with himself? Is this all a dream? And when do we get to wake up from it and walk away?

-- Desson Thomson (Dec. 7, 2007)

Contains unrelenting violence, profanity and nudity.