Review of One Eight Seven (1997) by Nicole P — 04 May 2008

Saw this flick was showing on Sky this morning. Years back I'd wanted to see it, for the Jackson factor mainly (this was back when he was a flawless character actor, not quite a movie star). Years have passed, and I hit upon the best time to actually watch this flick, because it's a reminder that being the charisma and awesomeness of Jackson lies one of the best character actors out there.

This role, at first, seems very unlike him. Instead of anger and charisma, he's a defeated man, an internal chap who doesn't let rage get the best of him until the end. Jackson plays the role well, not playing his cards too early. The best way to describe his character is similar to what Brad Pitt tells Matt Damon in Oceans Eleven, namely to be all things and yet nothing at the same time. To be bland, in other words. Doesn't mean the character isn't interesting, just that (til the end) he isn't noticable particularly, save for a quiet dignity.

The flick is a harrowing example of a broken system, one which is even evident in the UK. Teachers can be victimised by pupils, yet aren't allowed to discipline them... which in turn causes students to become more flippant. The cycle is that the students aren't being taught right from wrong at home, or at school, and so don't understand that certain things aren't right. To make matters even worse, the teachers become morally dubious because of how little control they have over the students. It's a sad system of flaws and errors, one captured in a surprisingly harrowing way by Kevin Reynolds (the director of off-key blockbuster fare such as The Count of Monte Cristo).

It's a very powerful flick, ableit not one to watch lightly.