A wonderfully original con movie about traditional martial arts. Not Mamet’s best script, but still quite excellent. The viewer is a naïve child, totally unexpecting the hit from tragic event after event, to build the spiral downward. Totally unaware that this negative thrust is designed.
A warrior, purist sensei, Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years A Slave) teaches in a small martial arts school. Mike struggles with the day to day running of the business. Leans on his wife – who can’t take the pressure.
Joe (Max Martini - Lie to Me/Pacific Rim) is a cop, a noble passenger of faith in Mike’s school. He wishes only to honour Mike and progress up through his ranks.
Mike, as someone so sensible, seasoned and wise, he should be more cautious when accepting gestures of thanks from strangers. Especially when he has assets that he is emotionally invested in – if they were taken, how much would it hurt?
So be more careful. And if these were taken from him, how would he fight back? A dramatic expression of the intellectual concept, how does one fight when he is partially paralysed?
I try to avoid spoilers, but you need to understand that this story is an intricate conspiracy – the treasure at its core is an idea, a subject close to a writer’s heart.
The fight is something many of us feel. And it often feels hopeless. The weakness of the wives is a fear and perception that many men feel.
The cinematography is ordinary, yet the performances are excellent – especially our hero, Mike and Joe the cop, reserved but purposeful. Beautiful fight scenes.
This is a perfectly simple drama on the surface – just a great story, directly and carefully told. Mike is a calm person, an honourable man, a noble warrior who chooses peace when he can. Even when the world falls down around him, and he sees the evil in his enemy’s eyes.
When fight is the right choice, nothing can stand in his way. He will take it all back. Nothing left to lose. The girl, Laura (Emily Mortimer) is so believable you may forget it’s a film for a moment. She is sweet, damaged, strong in her own way, struggling but loyal and genuine. Another amazing performance.
However, the performances are nothing without great writing – which Mamet has achieved here. Joe Mantegna is a cool, slick bastard. But everyone in this film is a villain, pretty much.
It’s all about money. And who do you trust, when everybody needs money?
Redbelt is a beautifully sad film, because despite the attempt to achieve victory, even if the good guys win, a man still died. With a lovely, spirited, silent ending.
This film leaves one feeling affected, it makes you think about fighting. About the place of violence in life and the need for fight, the need for struggle, the best way to trust. Some of these questions aren’t as explored as the struggle to do the right thing. But sure, it’s a thinking person’s movie, plus there are some really great fight sequences. If you appreciate martial arts and theatrical performance, it’s doubtful you’ll be disappointed.
4 stars
No comments:
Post a Comment