David Mamet steps into the ring with this combination of a samurai film and a film noir. When the final count is taken, Mamet stands victorious. However, some will not like the focus on the dialogue and acting and the fighting coming somewhat secondary.
Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a jiu-jitsu instructor and is running his cash strapped dojo with his wife Sondra (Alice Braga), a budding fashion designer. One night jittery lawyer Laura Black (Emily Mortimer) walks into the dojo and an accident with Terry’s best student Officer Joe Collins (Max Martini) sets off a chain of events that will put Terry on a path that will question his code of honor.
Into the mix will fall action movie star Chet Frank (Tim Allen) and his shady agent Jerry Weiss (Joe Mantegna), fight promoter Marty Brown (Ricky Jay), loan shark Richie (David Paymer), and a cast full of colorful characters.
David Mamet in one of the special features for the film calls it a samurai film mixed with a film noir and that comes through in spades. Mike Terry is a modern version of a samurai who lives by his own code of honor and expects others to have honor.
Sadly, Mike is also living and working in Los Angeles and ever too close to Hollywood where agents/actors/almost everyone glad hands you one day and doesn’t know you the next.
A film noir is basically defined as a “black film” that features dark, violent, urban, and downbeat aspects. As Mike navigates through the world of Hollywood (all glitter and no gold) and the world of professional sports he finds aspects of all of those descriptors. If this wasn’t David Mamet and possibly starring the like of Jean-Claude Van Damme, etc. the focus would be on the fighting and the character development would come second.
So those expecting this “Damme” take will probably come away disappointed, as there’s much character development, dialogue, and items that those expecting more fighting will consider slow.
In fact, I was beginning to wonder if Mamet was going to pull a fast one and have a build up to a big fight that never happened, but he does have one at the end. The thing that I felt might’ve been a little bit too much was the fact that everyone seems to recognize Terry’s honor at the end and bows to it. I suppose that they might’ve been aware of his reasons for what he does at the end, but it felt somewhat “Capra-esque.”
The cast is top notch and Ejiofor just oozes honor. Tim Allen is also very good in a surprising dramatic turn. Only David Mamet could attract a cast of this high caliber.
Redbelt is presented in a 1080p high definition transfer (2.40:1). Special features include a commentary from writer/director (and jiu-jitsu student and a rather good one it appears) David Mamet and mix martial arts fighter Randy Couture (who has a role in the film). The only special feature in standard definition is a 26-minute Q&A with Mamet, the rest are in high definition.
The 19-minute “Behind the Scenes of Redbelt” has interviews with the cast and crew of how the film was produced. The 19-minute “Inside Mixed Martial Arts” looks at the sport. The 16-minute “Interview with Dana White” is a chat with the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
There’s also 4 minutes of “Fighter Profiles” and a 4-minute look at Cyril Takayama, who plays a magician in the film. Finally, there’s the 2-minute theatrical trailer. The disc is also BD Live enhanced that takes you to some promotional bits for other Sony films, but not much more on Redbelt.
Redbelt is a bit of a slow burn, but it’s held high by the writing and acting. For those looking for a taste of an old Hollywood type film with a modern twist, this is the one. Those looking for a high-octane action adventure film will come away disappointed.
Redbelt [Blu-ray] is now available at Amazon . Visit the DVD database for more information.
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