Review of Dom Hemingway (2013) by Cameron J — 28 Jul 2014

DOM HEMINGWAY is a perfectly genial and entertaining film at first, with Jude Law clearly relishing the opportunity to play a no-holds-barred bad guy, but it becomes much less so as it progresses. The basic plot is that Dom Hemingway (Jude Law) is an ace safecracker who does a 12-year stint in jail for keeping his mouth shut.

Upon his release, he sets out to make up for lost time and collect the money that is owed him. Also, in an attempt to make his character more palatable to the audience, there is a subplot about him trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter.

The first part of that is great premise, and one that the movie would have been better to stick with. The second part is filler, to be honest, and the filmmakers lose points for not making a sincere effort at giving Jude Law a believable character arc that would work for the character, as well as be cathartic for the audience.

Obviously, Jude Law takes center stage here, and he gives a bravura performance as an abrasive, headstrong gangster that seems to have the worst luck in the world, proving the saying that nice guys finish last.

Except that he's really not that nice of a guy, code of ethics or not. The first half of the film is rather easy to get through because of the antics, partying, drug-taking and carousing that one usually sees in these type of films.

And to its credit, this film does it well and with some style. The problem is that it never really finds its footing after that. Dom just staggers on from misfortune to misfortune, only to get out by the skin of his teeth.

He makes no concerted effort to change his ways, which didn't necessarily have to happen, but then the film should have taken a different direction and not tried to make him appear likable in the first place.

I'm also a little miffed because of the misleading trailer, which seemed to indicate there would be more family drama. That would have worked, but again the filmmakers dropped the ball there (or more specifically, writer-director Richard Shepard).

On the plus side, in addition to Jude Law, Richard E. Grant gives a fine performance as Dickie, Dom's friend and counterpoint to his occasional insanity. To their credit, they have great chemistry and play really well off of each other.

Demian Bichir also has a small role as Mr. Fontaine, a crime boss who Dom visits to collect the share he's been waiting for. Other positives include a nice episodic structure built around lines of dialogue in the film.

The film is also very well-shot, with some nice on-location shooting in the UK and France. Overall, I have to say I'm a bit disappointed with this film. I thought I was getting one thing, but I got another.

Jude Law gives one of his best (and loudest) performances, but his character is a bit too grating at times and the story he is saddled with never really goes to any interesting or unique places. If Cockney crime films are your cup of tea or you're a Jude Law fan, then by all means give this a watch.

For everyone else, I'd say skip it.