Review of Death Wish (1974) by Adrian Z — 12 Apr 2014
Death Wish is an extremely thought provoking revenge thriller that's very much a product of its time. Charles Bronson plays an average liberal New Yorker who's wife is murdered and daughter raped by a street gang, and than decides to take the law into his own hands.
The film raises a lot of interesting questions about vigilantism in society, but does so in a very exploitive way. Bronson basically roams the streets waiting to be mugged so he can take out as many thugs as possible.
The film definitely glorifies violence, but also does a good job of showing the helplessness average people feel after such extreme events in their life. Bronson gives one of his best performances and the film has plenty of atmosphere and suspense, but the script is lacking and certain aspects of the film haven't aged well (such as the hilarious bright red paint used for blood).
An important, if slightly flawed, 70's classic.
This review of Death Wish (1974) was written by Adrian Z on 12 Apr 2014.
Death Wish has generally received positive reviews.
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