Review of Fracture (2007) by Rebecca M — 07 Dec 2009

Hitchcock help further the genre of film noir and thrillers back in the 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's and early 70's. But even after his death some very few films have been able to capture and recreate his style and look, and Fracture is one of those films that while it pays homage to Hitchcock It creates it's own style and plot device using elements from Noir and elements from serial killer thrillers and you get this sinister and dark film.

"Fracture" is as twisty and as smart as Crime dramas come, it enjoys playing games with it's audience and with that it careens from one twist to the next playfully and skilfully taunting you with it's dark motives and sinister cat and mouse play between Hopkins and Gosling . Gosling and Hopkins help keep this film from being nothing more than a standard crime drama/thriller they are the key to this film success and the main reason that "Fracture" is a must see.

Anthony Hopkins is sinister, malicious, smart and cunning in his role as Ted Crawford. Hopkins gives us a run for our money and them some, his performance is key to making this film work with it's implausible plot but even with that in mind your more focused on the dogfight between him and Gosling. Ryan Gosling does some of his best work in this film as the tough as nail get ahead young lawyer Willy Beachum, Gosling's performance is not as edgy or as smart as Hopkins but that is easy to overlook due to the fact that he is so good at playing off Hopkins and at playing off his characters misfortune in the film, essentially there the perfect on screen foes.

"Fracture" is one of Gregory Hoblit's best and most well made films to date and in my opinion one of the best cat and mouse thrillers to come out in years. It's truly a brilliant film and will please if not blow you away. All in all "Fracture" is pure and fulfilling entertainment at it's very and most compelling best.