Breaking the Law Could Look Better

Film: Law Abiding Citizen

Actor(s): Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meaney, Viola Davis, Bruce McGill

Official Drop Date: October 16, 2009

Blades: 4

Review: Law Abiding Citizen was not a film I was running towards, but curiosity struck to see how Jaime Foxx would handle this role. He was the only one I was unsure of. The idea that a prosecutor, Nick Rice, was held accountable for jacking up a trial and executing the wrong man while cutting a deal with the guilty party was interesting. The film took Gerard Butler’s character, Clyde Shelton, to the edge and over when he found out that the rapist and murderer of his wife and murderer of his young daughter was given a deal to walk after giving bullshit testimony against his accomplice who was guilty of being present and doing nothing.

Shelton felt that all involved should pay but what could have been a lesson in humility turned into a lesson in murder. Folks who were simply assistants to Rice were also being murdered so that Rice could realize that he owed Butler something – but what? Even as the credits roiled I was unsure what the guy wanted as I’m sure so was the screenwriter. At this point the movie was not a complete disappointment as it entertained until halfway into the film. So for that they get 4 blades. Could have been a lot better with a clear plot.

blades: ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

About Jessica Russo