Review of Fracture (2007) by Jack L — 03 Jan 2013

Fracture (2007).

The word "fracture" is not just applicable to body and bones. It indicates rupture or violation against a set standard of rules irrespective of the field of contention. In the world of cinema "fracture" is mostly limited to law and order given its dual nature of rigidity and flexibility at the same time. Pitting crime and individuals against blind folded system of justice always makes for an interesting philosophical study on a world of "fracture".

Plot:

Old and wealthy aeronautical engineer Ted Crawford (Anthony Hopkins) kills his wife after an altercation about her alleged extramarital affair with police detective Robert Nunally (Billy Burke). He confesses his murder and is presented in court for a fair trial.

Young and suave deputy district attorney Willy Beachum (Ryan Gosling) steps in as prosecution with a fairly squint eye to the case and trial. Pretty soon he realizes that there's more to the case than can be perceived and is slowly getting drawn in to Ted's world of fractured mind play. Rest of the story is about Willy's quest for truth, Ted's resilient world of crime, world of law & order and fair justice.

Analysis:

The movie is all about mind game - planning a crime, perfectly executing it and coming out hands free. Neither the director nor the screenplay writer waste anytime in setting out the main murder ploy as the film sets off with a bang. Once there's crime there's always law in the name of court room trial.

The plot cruises along till the first courtroom trial and then gets dodgy except for the last ten minutes when Willy, finally, carves his way out of Ted's fractured mind ploy, pieces together all visible evidence and draws a stunning conclusion much to the surprise of everybody around him mainly Ted. Abrupt ending mars the emotion and suspense created during the climax but draws home a point about longevity of criminal proceedings.

Performances:

As an old man getting squeezed between his wife's treachery and triumphing under her framed murder Anthony Hopkins is outright extraordinary. Ryan Gosling as a young and bustling high voltage district attorney delivers an adequate performance. His progressive character growth from being nonchalant to extremely intricate about the case is believable.

One of the notable things about the film is it's virtuous background score by Jeff Danna and Mychael Danna. The brothers have composed some soothing to haunting melodies as part of film's background score clearly lifting the intensity of scenes where applicable.