Review of Repentance (2014) by Thomas W — 23 Jul 2014

Repentance doesn't know what it wants to do, be or become as it feels as if it is a movie put together from bit parts of other films. Years after a drunken crash ended in tragedy (and almost claimed his own life), Tommy Carter (Anthony Mackie - Captain America 2) has decided to change his life and become a life coach/spiritual advisor for others in times of trouble or need.

After teaching yoga to his girlfriend's (Sanaa Lathan - Blade) class one day, he meets the troubled parent (Forest Whitaker - The Crying Game) of one of her students whom he decides he could be of assistance to.

This man, Angel (Whitaker), is troubled by the presence of his deceased mother who won't seem to leave our world to enter into the next. Tommy quickly learns that he has gotten in over his head in this situation and that Angel needs more than what he can provide for him.

Tommy's ex-con brother (Mike Epps - The Hangover) also figures into the story ... simply because it wasn't already over-complicated. The film is all over the place and a chore to get through. While Whitaker can be a great actor (he did win an Oscar!), he also can play one-note too often and that is what he sheepishly does here making his scenes feel staged and forced.

I think the film wants to be surprising but it isn't at all.