Short Review: Why not just show video of Mel Gibson picking up a paycheck? Really that's all we're seeing here anyway.


Night of the Living Gibson. Mel Gibson seriously sleepwalks through the whole production. I understand that he plays a Boston detective who witnesses his daughter get mowed down by a shotgun blast, so he should be somewhat in a haze, but his numb performance begins the opening credits role. Its not that he is in a production that is beneath him, he's been in plenty of movies that don't make his resume. He reveals a lack of confidence on screen, a lack of bravado he used to have. Is this due to his age, this film really affirms it is time for him to move to older-aged roles, or is it due to his first real appearance following his public meltdown? I found myself more interested in figuring that out rather than figuring out the boring questions posed by the plot.

The film is a tedious, paint-by-numbers thriller sans thrills. The main reason the film does not work is due to the script by William Monahan (The Departed) and Andrew Bovell (Strictly Ballroom).

The pacing is very sloppy and rushed. We are introduced to Thomas Craven (Gibson) and his daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic). They share a few minutes of awkward banter and then there is a mad dash to her death. Monahan and Bovell get to her death like they have a personal grudge against the character. It happens far too soon. We aren't given any time to get a real feel for Craven's love for her. We don't know why he would love her, for that matter. There is no mystery established, no deep concerns that threaten their relationship. She shows up, she pukes (yes, another shot of someone vomiting on screen) and then she is killed. It seems there is more time spent on Craven mourning silently than there are moments of him talking to her.

This mishandled relationship hollows out the rest of the film because it takes out the reason for us to care about what happens. From there Craven works to uncover the mystery of his daughter's murder. Of course he finds a government conspiracy, blah, blah, blah. It doesn't matter, she couldn't have been gunned down because of a conspiracy hatched at the fry machine in the local McDonalds - without an emotional connection to the victim, the audience has no reason to invest in the details of her death.

The standout in this film is Ray Winstone, a "I can't place where I've seen him before" kind of actor. He is compelling in his simple role as an assassin or "cleaner". He is the Grim Reaper but he doesn't much like his job. He is at the end of his career and is beginning to understand the folly of his brutal life. There is much for Winstone to work with and he does manage to delve into some good moments. If there is any reason to see this film - he is it.


Cautions: The film contains some language. It also contains a good bit of violence, although it is typical Hollywood violence. Mostly, I can say I've seen worse on television.




Related Reviews:
Mel Gibson Movies
The Road Warrior (1981)
Lethal Weapon (1987)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Cinema Blend
DarkMatters: The Mind of Matt



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Labels: Danny Huston, film, Mel Gibson, movie review, Ray Winstone