Sunday, October 18, 2009
A+E, Movies, Reviews

There oughta be a ‘Law’ …

 

Courtesy of Overture Films
Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler

“LAW ABIDING CITIZEN”
Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx
Directed by F. Gary Gray
Rated R
Wide release

A cross between “Death Wish” and “The Silence of the Lambs,” “Law Abiding Citizen” is a story about guilt that some will consider a guilty pleasure. For others, it will be as painful as some of the almost “Saw”-like revenge scenarios it depicts.

During a brutal home invasion, Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) watches helplessly while two men kill his wife and daughter. Philadelphia prosecutor Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) cuts a deal for Darby (Christian Stolte), the more vicious perp, in exchange for testifying against his partner.

Ten years later, Clyde begins killing people, including dismembering Darby, and continues even after he’s arrested and put in solitary. How he accomplishes this isn’t really explained, even when the script tosses out some simplistic explanations.

Butler portrays Clyde like Mel Gibson playing Hannibal Lecter. After initially earning sympathy, he becomes so monstrous that only a viewer as crazy as he is could justify his actions. Nick’s hero status is compromised, too. Proud of his 96 percent conviction rate, he makes deals rather than roll the dice in court. With cases lost every day on technicalities, his rationalization is somewhat justifiable, but his motivation is self-serving. Foxx stays low-key, as if hoping not to be noticed.

“Law Abiding Citizen” raises issues and ambiguities, perhaps even an allegory for America’s response to 9/11, but never goes deep enough to strain the brains of action fans. Director F. Gary Gray is more interested in “gory” than allegory.

 “Law Abiding Citizen” is preposterous, but it manages at least one good surprise and a few moments of suspense. It perfectly illustrates Nick’s philosophy: that it’s better to aim low and hit your mark than aim high and risk total failure. 2.5 STARS—Steve Warren