MOVIE: Redbelt

Movie Reviewed by The Evil Dr Sanchez, Esq.

Editor's Rating:  

(6 /10)

Starring: Emily Mortimer, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tim Allen

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When I told my film buff/maker friend that Redbelt was written and directed by David Mamet (Ronin, Wag The Dog) she got very excited, but still declined to see the film with me. So much for commitment to one’s craft.

Anyhow, Redbelt is basically a moralistic action film that sees good guy martial arts dojo instructor Mike Terry (American Gangster’s Chiwetel Ejiofor) come to the aid of a movie star (Tim Allen, for me the filmic kiss of death – well can you forgive For Richer or Poorer, or Wild Hogs?) during a fight. This incident turns Mike’s life on its head and the film segues into that whole ‘honourable master who refuses to fight for gain but is forced into it and has his morals challenged’ thing.

It’s a shame such a clichéd and yet unlikely plot twist is employed. Mamet has some heavy-hitters in there cast-wise (with the exception of Allen of course) including the up and coming Emily Mortimer (Lars and the Real Girl) and Mamet stalwart Joe Mantegna. Chiwetel Ejiofor, as usual, is convincing in his role and does what he can with this character study.

If you enjoy a bit of martial arts, torn characters or are a fan of David Mamet’s previous films (or for that matter his action TV creation The Unit) give it a go. If you are disappointed with this offering and need your faith in the filmmaker restored you should check out Mamet’s political spin satire Wag the Dog, it’s hilarious.

And while you’re picking that up from the DVD store you may also want to check out Ejiofor’s melancholic though at times funny performance as drag queen Lola in Kinky Boots with Australia’s own Joel Edgerton.