Summary
5 tech score
“Death Wish” (Metro Goldwyn Mayer)
“Death Wish” has been revived but will it revive Bruce Willis’ sagging career? The answer is probably not. The 1974 film featured tough guy Charles Bronson as a man who turned all vigilante because of the murder of his wife. Bronson created such a heartsick man that audiences forgave hm for hunting down the killers and executing them. Willis doesn’t win the audience over in this new version.
The plot involves Dr. Paul Kersey (Willis) who lives a life of wealth with his wife Lucy (Elisabeth Shue) and their college age daughter Jordan (Camilla Morrone). One night when Paul is at work his house is subject to a home invasion. His daughter is seriously wounded and his wife is slain. The police are called to the scene but there are no suspects.
After months of inactivity on the case Paul decides to take matters into his own hands. Along the way he also guns down some carjackers, etc. The city of Chicago calls him the grim reaper” and radio hosts argue over the right and wrong of his actions. The movie’s audience is asked to make the same decisions.
The main fault of the movie is Willis. That smug, cocky actor we have known and loved in the past is nowhere to be seen in this role. He has a bland, pasty look to him and his actions though violent are weak. He goes through the motions of being a grieving husband and father but emotions get left by the wayside. He never lets the audience know why Paul is doing what he is doing, rather than it all just occurring by accident.
The movie is full of gross, gory and violent moments but the camera hides away from view when Paul’s wife is killed. That is the one scene the audience needs to see since it sets up everything that follows. Failure to witness the violence of that one act prevents the viewer from believing that Paul’s actions are justified.
It is no accident this film takes place in Chicago, a place where homicides occur with increasing frequency. Sadly the police (Dean Norris and Kimberly Elise) who investigate the crime in this plot are portrayed as fairly inept. They offer little hope to Paul that the crime will be solved, and then have trouble determining who “the grim reaper” is when he is right in front of them.
The film is rated R for violence and profanity.
Director Eli Roth adds little to the success of the movie with its cast away scenes and slow pacing. Only the basic original story by Brian Garfield is what survives and it is that which will draw audiences to this movie. At a time when gun availability is a nightly news topic, and the staggering statistics of violence are on the rise, “Death Wish” does raise some legitimate questions. Sadly they are not presented in a more compelling package.
I scored “Death Wish” a wistful 5 out of 10.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
