Redemption
3.5/4
Starring: Jason Statham, Agata Buzek
Rated R for Strong Brutal Violence, Graphic Nudity, and Language
It is human nature to make mistakes. It's how we learn. Anyone who says otherwise is only kidding themselves. When we screw up, we have to make things right, and often times that easier said than done. Especially when by trying to do right, you inadvertently make things worse.
John Smith (Statham) is an ex-Special Forces soldier who ran away from facing a court-martial because of something that happened in Afghanistan. He's a full-time drunk and living on the streets of London, and shares a box with a woman named Isabelle (Victoria Bewick). After a pair of thugs collecting money and drugs take her and sell her to a pimp (and beat the crap out of John), John ends up in a nice apartment whose owner is away for the next few months. With the encouragement of Sister Cristina (Buzek), a kind nun who runs a soup kitchen that he frequents, John sets out to make something of himself and make amends for those he wronged. Of course, as Sister Cristina points out, working for some Chinese gangsters isn't the best way to go about it.
Anyone looking for something like "The Expendables" or "Crank" will not find it here. "Redemption" is primarily a drama; there is some violence, but it's to illustrate something about John's character. Adrenaline and eye candy aren't on the menu (although Agata Buzek is beautiful).
This is a two-character piece between John and Cristina, and they are fascinating people. Both have their demons, which we only find out as the film goes on. Few films take the time to develop characters as well as them. It helps that they are being portrayed by more than capable actors.
Jason Statham is like Arnold Schwarzenegger; he's known mainly for being able to kick ass and toss off one-liners. Action stars like them aren't really known for their thespian abilities, but when Statham got me to care about Chev Chelios in the utterly ridiculous "Crank," I knew that there was more to him than his muscles. Statham is excellent in the role of John. He's a man who has seen horror and is unable to escape it except through running into a bottle. He also believes that being a driver for guys like Mr. Choy (Benedict Wong) is worth it because it allows him to give back to those who need it and those he screwed over. I was surprised at how much I cared about him.
Easily equaling him is Polish actress Agata Buzek. She doesn't have much of a resume, but she's a natural. Cristina calls John a hypocrite for what he does while secretly realizing that she's the same way. Taking a 500 pound gift from a drunk man to buy a ballet ticket isn't exactly the most righteous thing to do...even if he tells you to spend it on yourself. Like John, she's got secrets of her own.
The developing relationship between John and Cristina is much more than a simple romance. That's out of the question, although there is no doubt that they've had a profound impact on each other. It's hard to explain, so the best advice I can give is to just watch the movie. You won't be disappointed.
Starring: Jason Statham, Agata Buzek
Rated R for Strong Brutal Violence, Graphic Nudity, and Language
Long is the way, and hard, that out of hell leads up to light.That's a quote from John Milton's "Paradise Lost." It was used as a tagline for the serial killer thriller, "Seven," and oddly, enough, it's an appropriate descriptor for "Redemption." You couldn't find two more different films, but the idea applies to both of them.
It is human nature to make mistakes. It's how we learn. Anyone who says otherwise is only kidding themselves. When we screw up, we have to make things right, and often times that easier said than done. Especially when by trying to do right, you inadvertently make things worse.
John Smith (Statham) is an ex-Special Forces soldier who ran away from facing a court-martial because of something that happened in Afghanistan. He's a full-time drunk and living on the streets of London, and shares a box with a woman named Isabelle (Victoria Bewick). After a pair of thugs collecting money and drugs take her and sell her to a pimp (and beat the crap out of John), John ends up in a nice apartment whose owner is away for the next few months. With the encouragement of Sister Cristina (Buzek), a kind nun who runs a soup kitchen that he frequents, John sets out to make something of himself and make amends for those he wronged. Of course, as Sister Cristina points out, working for some Chinese gangsters isn't the best way to go about it.
Anyone looking for something like "The Expendables" or "Crank" will not find it here. "Redemption" is primarily a drama; there is some violence, but it's to illustrate something about John's character. Adrenaline and eye candy aren't on the menu (although Agata Buzek is beautiful).
This is a two-character piece between John and Cristina, and they are fascinating people. Both have their demons, which we only find out as the film goes on. Few films take the time to develop characters as well as them. It helps that they are being portrayed by more than capable actors.
Jason Statham is like Arnold Schwarzenegger; he's known mainly for being able to kick ass and toss off one-liners. Action stars like them aren't really known for their thespian abilities, but when Statham got me to care about Chev Chelios in the utterly ridiculous "Crank," I knew that there was more to him than his muscles. Statham is excellent in the role of John. He's a man who has seen horror and is unable to escape it except through running into a bottle. He also believes that being a driver for guys like Mr. Choy (Benedict Wong) is worth it because it allows him to give back to those who need it and those he screwed over. I was surprised at how much I cared about him.
Easily equaling him is Polish actress Agata Buzek. She doesn't have much of a resume, but she's a natural. Cristina calls John a hypocrite for what he does while secretly realizing that she's the same way. Taking a 500 pound gift from a drunk man to buy a ballet ticket isn't exactly the most righteous thing to do...even if he tells you to spend it on yourself. Like John, she's got secrets of her own.
The developing relationship between John and Cristina is much more than a simple romance. That's out of the question, although there is no doubt that they've had a profound impact on each other. It's hard to explain, so the best advice I can give is to just watch the movie. You won't be disappointed.
Comments
Post a Comment