Review of Redbelt (2008) by Nicolas K — 22 Dec 2008
Something about this film causes it to not work the way you would expect it to. It isn't the fact that renowned writer Mamet issues up a bizarre amount of twists too detailed to get into here in a martial arts movie.
It isn't that Chiwetel Ejiofor offers a great portrayal of a man ruled and betrayed by his passion initially and then slowly loses steam as the film wraps. It isn't even Emily Mortimer (who continues to annoy me just by walking on the screen, no matter what she is in).
I think it is too many elements rushing together to build a fairly weak story. At 99 minutes, Mamet covers a lot of ground (from the implications of rigged organized fights, courtesy of Mamet mainstays Ricky Jay and Joe Mantegna, to the downward spiral of stardom long gone) but none of it gets the treatment or time it deserves, save for the code of ethics Ejiofor lives by.
A misfire for sure but Tim Allen gets punched in the face, which many film historians will recognize as one of the greatest moments in all of cinema.
This review of Redbelt (2008) was written by Nicolas K on 22 Dec 2008.
Redbelt has generally received positive reviews.
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