I’ve never been
that into courtroom dramas (unless Fangshaw Standon is presiding/providing) but
this one kept me interested for most of the time although to be honest I was
never invested enough in the characters to really care which way the film came
down on. I mainly kept with it just so I could find out at the end. After the
initial twist, it is fairly obvious how things are going to go and it’s just a
matter of how and when. Various side stories intertwine to create a deeper more
complex story and this generally works well but Haller’s ex wife and child were
only really there for one reason late on and felt a bit ignored. Calling the
film The Lincoln Lawyer seemed like a
bit of a stretch. Unless I’m missing something it is because Haller owns a Lincoln and drives from
one place to another in it. I think he works in it once but it seems a bit
flimsy to name an entire film after the car that the protagonist drives. The
car didn’t play that big a role in the film.
Showing posts with label Frances Fisher. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frances Fisher. Show all posts
Friday, 4 May 2012
The Lincoln Lawyer
Successful LA defence attorney Mickey Haller (Matthew ‘Mahogany’
McConaughey) lands a career case, the
defence of a young millionaire playboy Louis Roulet (Ryan Philippe) who has
been accused of attacking and beating high class prostitute Regina Campo (Margarita Levieva). Roulet claims his
innocence and argues that he’s being set up. The film follows the case as twist
follows twist, right up to the very end.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Unforgiven
Clint Eastwood directs, produces and stars in this 1992 Western which won four Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director. While I personally don’t think it is a great film it is certainly a good film. Eastwood plays William Munny, an ex gunslinger who has put his past behind him to raise his two young children singlehandedly after the death of his wife. Meanwhile in a small town in Wyoming , a young prostitute is attacked by a drunken customer. Her fellow prostitutes raise $1,000 as a reward for the person who can kill her attacker. Eastwood is approached by the ‘Schofield Kid’, played by Jaimz Woolvett, who asks Munny to join him on one last ride out. Munny also persuades his old partner Ned Logan, played by Morgan Freeman, to accompany him.
When I think Cowboy, I think Clint Eastwood |
The strength of the film lies in Eastwood’s directing and in the superb acting. Eastwood creates a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere despite the film being set in mostly large open spaces. Eastwood plays Munny with great precision. His looks could kill and his rough voice and tired appearance create a feeling that he is too old for killing but he is capable of turning these perceptions on their head in a matter of seconds with his ability to quick-draw and shoot down anyone who stands in his way. Gene Hackman is also excellent as the Sherriff whose job it is to run Munny and his gang out of town. He is arrogant and sure of himself despite flaws which become apparent as the film unfolds. Frances Fisher is strong as the Madame prostitute behind the $1,000 bounty whereas Morgan Freeman just appears to be along for the ride.
Beautiful title shot |
Where I feel the film is let down is its length. At 131 minutes long, it feels much longer. I also felt that the character of ‘English Bob’ played by the late Richard Harris was unnecessary and detracted from the main story of the film.
While Unforgiven is now considered to be a classic of the Western genre and although I liked it, I didn’t like it as much as most other people seem to.
6/10
Labels:
1992,
6/10,
Clint Eastwood,
Film,
Frances Fisher,
Gene Hackman,
Jaimz Woolvett,
Morgan Freeman,
Movie,
Review,
Richard Harris,
Unforgiven,
Western
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