Photo by: Cache.Boston.com
One would think that these villains and criminals in cinema would learn that messing with Gerard Butler’s family just isn’t going to work out for them. Whether it’s in ancient Greece or in the not too distant future or even in modern-day Philadelphia, it’s going to end with somebody losing a few limbs. It’s that murderous retribution that drives the film “Law Abiding Citizen.”
The film begins with Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) enjoying a quiet evening at home with his family. Seemingly at random, he loses everything to a pair of violent criminals. He has to watch as his wife is raped and murdered and his little girl meets the same end.
Meanwhile, Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) is just making a name for himself at the District Attorney’s office. He’s got a very high rate of convictions because he knows how to play by the system’s rules. If that means making the occasional deal with a murderer like Clarence Darby (Christian Stolte), then so be it. As long as the bad guys go to jail and his stats stay up, then he can sleep at night. The only problem is that Darby happens to be the one that killed Clyde’s family.
“Law Abiding Citizen” easily could have been just another gory vengeance thriller. Instead, it weaves together a complex story with clearly motivated characters and exciting twists. It’s unique in that you know from the beginning who’s doing all the killing, but you have no idea how he’s managing to do it.
Of course, one must give credit where credit is due, and a great deal of the film’s inherent quality can be placed directly on the shoulders of Foxx and Butler. Foxx’s capably brings to life a lawyer who believes the system works but must eventually confront how many criminals manage to slip through the cracks. Butler is quickly becoming Hollywood’s favorite leading man, and with good reason. This film proves that even in the role of the villain, Butler can put on a stand-out performance.
The film does fall short towards the end. Where the filmmakers could have carried through with the momentum and made a powerful statement about the justice system, they instead opted for a safer ending that would have a wider appeal. In the end, it’s a very good movie that could have been great.
“Law Abiding Citizen” is definitely worth seeing. Not since “Se7en” has a serial killer proven so intriguing. If you love thrillers and can handle a bit of gore, then put this film at the top of your list.
