|
|
[ back ]
Almost a knockout
(by Stacey Rynders - May 21, 2008)
While Redbelt is a bit simplistic with its good-guy vs. bad-guys storyline, the plot is injected with several twists that make this film enjoyable. Rooted in a traditional and straight-forward cinematic storytelling style, Redbelt features love, action, honor, deceit and perseverance, ensuring a crowd-pleaser for all.
Written and directed by David Mamet (Spanish Prisoner, Heist), Redbelt centers on Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a reverent and calm Jiu-Jitsu fighter. Mike takes pride in teaching his craft for purposes of self defense and self control. He avoids the much more lucrative prize fighting in order to carefully develop his own teaching techniques, which are strongly influenced by ancient Jiu-Jitsu philosophy and practice.
While teaching is perhaps a more honorable lifestyle than fighting, his entrepreneurial wife Sondra Terry (Alice Braga) finds no joy in helping support Mike’s financially struggling Jiu-Jitsu school. Sondra has ambitions of her own — designing clothes and fabric, a career that is proving more profitable than Mike’s business.
But when Sondra accidentally shoots out the window of the Jiu-Jitsu studio, Mike’s entire raison d’être is called into question. An ensuing series of events causes Mike to befriend an action-movie star (played by Tim Allen), and he finds himself at the center of betrayals, deceit and cons. The more Mike tries to make honorable choices and fix things, the more he ends up hurting people for whom he cares.
The twists in the plot and action, while traditional and not very suspenseful, are engaging. Redbelt has a Rocky-like appeal with its modern tale of perseverance in the age of American consumerism.
Chiwetel Ejiofor performs with grace and style and commands the screen. Ejiofor has lately found his way into some smaller roles in mainstream films, but his leading role and defining performance in Redbelt make him an actor to watch.
The rest of the cast does sufficiently well, including Tim Allen, though his role is not particularly challenging; in fact, his acting is reminiscent of Chuck Norris.
The actor that disappoints and makes the film feel low-budget at times is Ricky Jay, whose poorly delivered lines as a fight organizer are grating at best. Jay’s performance is too practiced and dull, and he receives zero points for delivery.
Another flaw with Redbelt is that the storyline between Mike and Sondra essentially disappears for about the last third of the film. In fact this relationship is rather weak throughout, with no explanation for Mike’s inability to share information with his wife, which does not seem to fit with such a Zen-like character so interested in peace and understanding.
There is a small disconnect in how the hero, Mike, and his wife Sondra can be so naïve in their actions. This naiveté is a bit contradictory to their character development, but is something that can be overlooked. The film does not suffer from these minor disconnects of character. In truth, it is these deficits that drive the plot and make Mike more endearing and Sondra less so.
So it is almost despite itself that Redbelt succeeds. In fact, it is its straightforward style that likely saves the day, giving audiences a clear and prevailing hero to admire, an engaging film and a little enlightenment despite a mildly predictable plot. Redbelt is worth the two hours, but is best viewed as a matinee.
Redbelt is currently playing at the Landmark Tivoli Theatre, located at 6350 Delmar Blvd.
[ back ]
|
|
| Advertiser classifieds will be displayed here soon. |
|
|
|
