Review of Redemption (2014) by Ricardo S — 12 Oct 2013
Released in the UK as HUMMINGBIRD but retitled REDEMPTION for US/Canada release, is a contemplative study in damaged people trying to fix what they can in life. I'm not sure why critics have been so quick to dismiss this movie.
While flawed, there is still more to this film than to be found in most films released in 2013. Jason Statham actually gives a strong performance and demonstrates some strong skill as an actor to go along with his standard movie persona.
The poor choice of a re-title is unfortunate because no one finds redemption here. Knight's film carries a constant undertone of rage, bewilderment and sadness where "choice" has been traded for "force".
The damaged anti-hero stumbles illegally away from a war in which he has been forced to kill and to kill under pressure when he knows it is wrong. By the time he sneaks home he finds he is now forced to live a life controlled by the streets and drugs.
The film's director makes an interesting choice in comparing the military missile surveillance cameras to the UK CCTV cameras. This adds to the level of paranoia already pulsating through Statham's character due to PTSD.
It is never made clear if the CCTV footage is actually happening as we see it or as the AWOL soldier imagines it might be. The plot of REDEMPTION is actually secondary to the plight of this soldier and a young nun.
A nun who shares more in common with the soldier than one might think. The film takes a steady aim at the state of Catholicism in Europe. This film offers no easy ways out, but plenty of room for thought.
This is not a standard Action Adventure film. Sadly, Knight can't seem to help but play on some of the predictable aspects of Jason Statham. The action sequences are well shot, but do not match the tone of the film itself and end up making REDEMPTION feel a bit like a compromise between cerebral cinematic art and "cineplex popcorn movie" -- but there despite that, REDEMPTION is redeemed by ideas and the charismatic turn of its lead actor.
Chris Menges' cinematography is exceptional. The film manages to have a consistent neon glow meshed with artfully framed gritty realism. This film could have added up to so much more, but the ratings I see on RT do not match the film I saw.
This film is worth a look.
This review of Redemption (2014) was written by Ricardo S on 12 Oct 2013.
Redemption has generally received positive reviews.
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