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Written and Directed by Starring Rated R Presented by 96 minutes |
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REDBELT Review
For any aspiring writer, it is near impossible to consider yourself a student without admiring or learning the craft of David Mamet. Writing big budget studio pics so he could fund his own movies, Mamet has created a world of good people in uncompromising situations based on an innocently good deed. With his latest film REDBELT, Mamet shows that his cynicism shown in his previous work may be changing, but against a backdrop of the rising sport of mixed martial arts, REDBELT is an exceptional journey of a man of honor who believes his code. Mike Terry (an excellent Chiwetel Ejiofor) is one of the world's biggest practioners of Jiu-Jitsu, running a studio in Los Angeles where he instructs students both the physical and mental aspects of the sport. His business is struggling, as with his wife Sondra (Alice Braga), they are having difficulty with the rent. To make matters worse, a drug addicted attorney (Emily Mortimer) walks into the school and accidentally smashes the front window. Failing to report the incident in order to help the troubled attorney starts Mike on a collision course that soon spirals out of control. Later that night, he saves aging action film star Chet Frank (a surprisingly terrific Tim Allen in a serious role) from a fight and befriends the actor, who shows his appreciation by involving Terry in his latest film, a war film produced by media magnate Jerry Weiss (a slimy Joe Mantegna, a Mamet staple). Soon Terry learns of his new friends' new intentions, and it forces him little choice but to enter an upcoming tournament hosted by ruthless promoter Marty Brown (Mamet regular Ricky Jay) where his morality and code of honor are questioned. Simply put, I loved this movie. The amount of passion put into this film was tremendous, and the action extremely realistic. The art of Jiu-Jitsu is an art of grappling, which may not be the most glamorous to see on film as opposed to kung fu, but it is very effective, and done to great use here. You believe that Terry is an instructor, and he is such a likable character (due to Ejiofor's performance) that you feel and root for him from the start. The familiar concept of a good man who does a good deed leading to complications is a staple in Mamet's work, but never done with such hope for its main character as it shows here. Mike Terry is the most sympathetic character in Mamet's universe. The cast is stellar, though it's Ejiofor's show. Emily Mortimer, a top British actress, gives an overtly emotional performance as attorney Laura Black, whose fragility towards men and her determination to get rid of it is one of the more fascinating subplots. One of the best scenes in the movie is when Terry gives her a lesson on confronting fear with a stark lesson, and Mortimer's gut wrenching response is as powerful as any of the fights shown in the film. Mamet regulars Joe Mantegna, Ricky Jay, David Paymer, and wife Rebecca Pidgeon all deliver in their roles, and with each performance they have such a comfortness you forget you're watching actors. Alice Braga is good as Terry's wife but not utilized much (and she doesn't need to be), while Tim Allen is splendid in his supporting role as Frank, an almost washed up movie star whose own insecurities lead to an unlikely friendship with Terry. UFC legend Randy Couture, in an important casting move, is good as IFA fight commentator Dylan Flynn, adding respectibility and credibility from the MMA sport. Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini has a funny and memorable cameo as a fight instructor on the film set Frank is working on who confronts Terry on his skill (and it's ending is very unlikely). In all, REDBELT is a film that honors the sport of Jiu-Jitsu and MMA that will please men while women will love the many subplots that deal with Terry's conflicts with the cynicism around him (particularly in the scenes with Mortimer's character). It's out in wide release soon and is a great alternative to the summer blockbuster, as it delivers when it does, and handles the drama effectively. REDBELT: 9 Out Of 10 Maggots CLICK HERE FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH WRITER/DIRECTOR DAVID MAMET! CLICK HERE FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH STAR CHIWETEL EJIOFOR! CLICK HERE FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH STAR RANDY COUTURE! CLICK HERE FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH STARS EMILY MORTIMER & ALICE BRAGA! CLICK HERE FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH STARS REBECCA PIDGEON & RICKY JAY!
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