Review: ‘Redbelt’

Travis:

If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to rant for just a moment. David Mamet, perhaps one of our greatest working masters of the written dialogue, has had a mere two Oscar nominations for writing, zero wins, one of which was for something he “helped” write (Wag the Dog) and the other being The Verdict (1982). Why?

With that said, Mamet’s newest film, written and directed, is Redbelt. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mike Terry, a master of jiu-jitsu who runs a small academy. He learns that the academy is financially broke when his wife Sondra (Alice Braga) realizes his checks have bounced. On the very night of this news, an attorney named Laura (Emily Mortimer) happens into the academy and is startled by Joe (Max Martini), a off-duty cop who is Terry’s top student.

During this encounter, an accident occurs that sets into motion a series of deceits and back-stabbings, which leads to extortion later in the film as Terry enters the world of mixed martial arts. Terry finds himself at the center of a complicated plot, orchestrated by the greedy and the powerful, and must “fight” his way out of the corruption that surrounds him. Unfortunately, I cannot give any more detail regarding this, as it would ruin the film.

There are many players and many layers to this story, as is typically the case with most works from Mamet, but they always tie in together quite brilliantly. Some may say Mamet’s films are all the same … I disagree. I found myself holding my breath during scenes of building tension, at times at the edge of my seat and at others feeling uncomfortable in response to the events taking place.

There are some great scenes of intense emotion and some fine performances. Ejiofor was outstanding … in fact, I am officially stating he ought to at least be considered for an Oscar nod. Mortimer is also very convincing as the attorney with emotional issues, who befriends Mike Terry, despite their accidental meeting. Even Tim Allen, while his performance was brief, showed some depth and added well to the film’s success.

Mamet, being a superb writer, consistently creates works of dialogue that flow seamlessly. In Redbelt, he actually combines this with scenes of long silence, which actually speak just as powerfully as those he writes with words. By far, the most powerful scene in the entire film is the final scene … a scene which has so much to say with so few words spoken.

I highly recommend Redbelt, but will say this … if you’re a rookie to world of David Mamet, enter the theatre with an open mind and just let the movie take you in. Literally, the dialogue at times is so good it can sound almost incoherent at times if you’re not familiar with his style.

(5 out of 5)

Zac:

David Mamet’s latest is a crafty, quick paced, piece of cinema, constantly keeping you on your toes while successfully creating one of the best original heroes we have seen in a film in a while. Mike Terry is an ex-military man that has extensive training in martial arts who bides his day to day life teaching his students, while struggling to get bye, but never sacrificing his honor. Terry’s friend and student Joe is a cop struggling financially to get bye, even after Mike hooked him up at his wife’s brother’s club. Mike’s wife, Sondra, is struggling as well with her own business, a textile/fashion design company that imports cloth from Brazil. The two’s financial pit falls hit a serious kink when a lawyer accidentally discharges Joe’s gun which takes out the front window when she is frightened by him as he tries to console her after a near accident in the rain.
Outside this random chance crossing of these three characters, the movie then begins to follow a series of interconnected events that lead to one circumstance after another beginning to take both positive and negative effects on these characters lives. To spoil the plot of a David Mamet film would be criminal in it’s own right so I will stop there, but know the plot takes many a twists and turns and is full of plenty of surprise; also avoid the trailer at all costs on this one, as it is very spoilerish.
The acting in this film is quality all around. The sleazy come across as sleazy, Ricky Jay as the seedy promoter, Rodrigo Santoro as Sondra’s brother and club owner, and Joe Mantegna as the super sleazy agent of Chet Frank. Chet Frank is a celebrity played by Tim Allen that crosses Mike’s path, and Allen does a good job as the down and out actor going through the motions. Alice Braga plays Mike’s sexy wife that seems a little to out for her own good. Emily Mortimer also continues a solid streak of quality turns by her, and is a real joy as the medicated and scattered lawyer Laura Black that gets wrapped up in the proceedings. But, the real stand out is Chiwetel Ejiofor who continues his string of stellar roles with the ultimate selfless hero Mike Terry. Ejiofor is suave, proud, and confident throughout the film as he works his way through the ups and downs of the film while also being a commanding presence in the physical aspects of the role as well. Ejiofor’s Mike Terry is worth the price of admission alone in his fantastic turn in the lead.
In the end, Redbelt is a solid thriller of sorts with a great lead and wonderful central character. All of the actors turn in solid performances and Mamet creates a quick and interesting film that never really lets you go. Ejiofor would be worth seeing if this film was terrible, luckily it succeeds on most every level, and is a solid piece that is definitely worth your time.

(4 out roundhouses out of 5)

[rating: 4.5/5]