Review of Man on Fire (2004) by Sugarfall S — 22 Aug 2014
SCOTT FREE continues to demonstrate how their passion for cinema steers them through the streets of excellence with determination and elegance. MAN ON FIRE ranks among not only one of my favorite movies but also as one of the most important movies.
It's the first movie set in a foreign country and dealing with such a dark topic as kidnapping (PROOF OF LIFE is also quite good but stumbles) and manages to preserve a kind of beauty and sweetness.
The sacrificial lamb suits Denzel in this tale down to his "winkled" character's name and even more creased psyche/soul -- the sort of salvation one finds when they find a means to propitiation.
The script is perfect, the shots gritty and nimble, the flowing and localized subtitles blazing new ground for foreign-situated flicks. Always innovating, the Scotts make Hollywood a new city full of new colors and new atmospheres, freeing us from the homogenized we are so clearly bored with as ticket sales plummet for every movie that refuses to free itself.
If you don't want your heart broken and don't like crying in front of others, steel your emotions or watch this alone. It's a beautiful story!
This review of Man on Fire (2004) was written by Sugarfall S on 22 Aug 2014.
Man on Fire has generally received positive reviews.
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