IR Film Review: WRATH OF MAN [Miramax/MGM]
The texture of Guy Ritchie film is based on consequence and the level of the actor he is working with. With last year's "The Gentlemen" it was almost too secular and specific to that arena which, while interesting, gave not as much insight into the structure of the truth it was showing. With "Wrath Of Man" which itself is based on a French heist movie, the structure is a little more linear in a way while still using a structure shift which was probably more of Ritchie's doing as a writer. The storytelling does feel inherently European though it seems to take place in Los Angeles (though that tends to shift since it seems Jason Statham's character has roots in London). The movie works not because of the story itself which works efficiently (not so much as a Ritchie film except in his brutality but in the rapid fire of much of the dialogue which undeniably he has spruced up). But "Wrath Of Man" is a tale of revenge, more 70s action than grindhouse but with some interesting additions.
Actors who might have taken leads just want to be on the ride with Ritchie. As a result you get actors like Josh Hartnett and Jeffrey Donovan who would usually chew up alot of scenery doing good work but not overstepping the bounds. And actually that works in certain misdirects including one very specific one. Scott Eastwood in a way is the one that completely disappears taking on an approach much different than recent roles, not worrying about the approach but delivering what is needed. Niamh Algar who was so interesting in "Raised By Wolves" gets a thankless role per se but it is part of the melee and she does what she can with it. This reviewer seems to remember that Kate Beckinsale was supposed to be in this but that might have been "The Gentlemen". This story here is about the world. The one who really shines (since Ritchie can pull back Statham in a respectful way) is Holt McCallany as Bullet. He was great in "Mindhunter" but he is an actor who is so often underused. Granted his visage puts in play a certain ideal but he is a brilliant old school actor (and can hold his own with Statham -- who has gotten into a certain stoic approach to characters).
Gone with Statham is a certain freeness like we saw in "The Italian Job" which is the last time he looked like he was truly having fun. That is not to say he isn't effective. But he is not the focus here. He is the anchor and the engine. It is also good to see Andy Garcia in a more "Vincent" mode but again, like most of the characters, he is one of the crescendos in the score as it keeps moving. Few directors can operate this skillfully with all these personalities especially on a more limited budget but Ritchie can (though he does apt for less over-th- top visual flair than usual and focuses more squarely on the storytelling). And in that way it is effective and fun. B+
By Tim Wassberg
