The problem that I have with a film such as "Law-Abiding Citizen" is that it purports to be mainstream cinema, a serious film with a serious theme running through its cinematic veins rather than a "Saw," which is rather brutally honest about its intentions to shock and devastate audiences. Instead, "Law-Abiding Citizen" is nothing more than torture porn with a conscience and starring a better cast than is usually caught doing these types of films. With touches of "Death Wish" and "Saw" firmly in grasp, "Law-Abiding Citizen" tries hard to convince us that the film is an importance social statement. Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx), an up-and-coming Philly prosecutor is forced by his boss to plea bargain with one suspect in exchange for testimony against the other, ultimately less culpable, suspect.įast forward 10 years and the suspect who plea bargained is murdered and Shelton confesses to the crime and, from behind bars, makes everyone aware that unless the system is fixed the killings will continue. Still, there's something to be said for a movie you like well enough at the time.Serving as an ever so slightly more intelligent take on the "Saw" theme, in which killing is not simply justified but socially responsible, "Law-Abiding Citizen" starts off in fourth gear when the wife and daughter of Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) are brutally murdered. "Law Abiding Citizen" is one of those movies you like more at the time than in retrospect. Leslie Bibb works well as Nick's prosecutorial partner, with Regina Hall as Nick's wife, Annie Corley as the judge who experiences some surprises in her courtroom, and the powerful Viola Davis as the city's mayor.
Colm Meaney is underused as Nick's police partner we suspect he might be the accomplice, given the Law of Economy of Characters, but perhaps he has a different role to play. Gary Gray, the director, is first able to generate considerable suspense and a sense of dread.įoxx and Butler make a well-matched pair in their grim determination. The explanation of Clyde's methods is preposterous, but it comes late enough that F. Movie supervillains have a way of correctly predicting what everyone will do and making their plans on that basis. So remarkable, in fact, that they fly in the face of common sense. Is this guy Houdini, or does he have supernatural powers?Īs his methods are uncovered, it's clear he's a non-magical human being, but a clever one with remarkable resources. I won't go into detail about what happens next, except to observe that Clyde's first killing involves his penetration of the Death Row execution chamber itself - and that's before he's in prison. That's not good enough for Clyde, who has 10 years to plot, plan and simmer in his hatred.
Why is one allowed to live? Because, Nick explains, the case isn't airtight without the testimony, and if they lose, both men walk free.
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