Sleepers (1996)

Directed By:  Barry Levinson  Written By: Lorenzo Carcaterra (book), Barry Levinson (screenplay)

Studio: Warner Brothers

Cast:  Kevin Bacon, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Jason Patric, Brad Pitt

Synopsis:  Boys will be boys, but of course this may have a slightly/completely different context within Hell’s Kitchen, where boys will be boys by stealing hot dog carts and pushing them down on the ostensibly middle upper class because of the extreme malaise of their lives. 

Wow, I’m so judgmental.  Ok it was an accident, and these naïve, harmless, and God fearing children really didn’t mean it, but this was the pivotal event of their lives, changing everything from that moment forward, leading to the second act in the detention center, and a third act regarding the aftermath of their incarceration.  All of this is tied together because Kevin Bacon is a total wanker.

Note:  Kevin Bacon is my 3^rd, 4^th, or 5^th cousin…by marriage through Kyra Sedgwick… and even though I’ve never met him, my life is still awesome because I can beat anybody else in 6 Degrees of Separation from Kevin Bacon! 

Review:  This is one good ol film I’ve been curious about since 10 years after it came out, due to the fact that in my youth, this looked like what I regarded as dummy drivel (AKA not a Bruckheimer production; ironic).  However, I finally saw the talent and fairly decent acclaim backing it, prompting me to eventually check a copy after a long wait.

It may have its dull moments, but overall Sleepers contains a fascinating look at childhood bonds, revenge, and morality.  The look at what our main characters must go through after being put in an institution is fairly effective without showing too much, due in large part to Kevin Bacon’s character being completely ruthless and inhumane.  With this in mind, the controversial path they take as adults is something I can appreciate and accept; payback could not stray far from one’s mind after viewing the torture they endured, even through the fatal accident they caused.

Throughout we have a fairly in depth-look at the main characters and their connections with each other, and along with the decent chemistry between them as children, we can effectively care for them when they become physical/sexual fodder of the guards when incarcerated.  The transition to adults, and to our headlining stars, may be awkward and seem to lose some of the characterization from childhood, but they receive help from some major supporting players in an alcoholic lawyer (Dustin Hoffman) and a priest (Robert De Niro, in a wonderfully understated, interesting, and oddly polite role).  Here the story becomes slightly more immediate and thrilling; in essence, the whole film heads on an upward slope of intensity throughout, but it does start off in slightly dull territory.

Main aspects aside, the film scores fine points for its interesting and moving John Williams score, as well as creating and using the identity, culture, feel, and environment of Hell’s Kitchen, making the boys and those around them evoke authenticity.  There may be overly melodramatic moments, unbelievable connections between past and present, as well as an ending that is not completely satisfying due to revenge being taken too early and stakes not being high enough, but overall I fell for it.  In this case, even if you have qualms, it works.

Equilibrium (2002)

Directed By: Kurt Wimmer Written By: Kurt Wimmer Studio: Dimension Films

Cast: Christian Bale, Sean Bean, Taye Diggs, William Fichtner, Angus MacFadyen, Dominic Purcell, Emily Watson

How can I attempt to describe the 2002 dystopian SciFi action/thriller film Equilibrium, one word: Gunkata!

Before I get into this review I had a one major initial beef with this film. For the first 10 minutes of the movie I couldn't see past the emotionless acting. It felt stale, deadpan and in general I just couldn't connect to any of the characters. But then it hit me that is EXACTLY what this film was going for.

Synopsis:

You see Equilibrium is a portrayal of a not to distant future where man, in an effort to be more humane to their fellow man, have forsaken all feeling. People walk around alive, but they don't truely live. With an emotion sedating substance known as Prozium fascist leaders, known as Tetragrammaton Council, control the populace. Where the drugs fail to control special soldiers known as Clerics completely destroy all resistance using superior fighting skills with extreme efficiency.

The Tetragrammaton Councils top Cleric John Preston (Christian Bale) has always done his job unrepentingly until he accidentally misses one dose and begins to feel. These feelings will turn his world upside down, and in the process maybe humanity will be human again.

Review:

I loved Equilbrium, and have now watched it twice. The action scenes are amazing well done, and have a very similar feel to watching The Matrix, but without CGI as a crutch. Everything is done practically; shootouts, swordplay and fisticuffs all happen in a rapid flurry of camera pans and hard cuts that allow you to experience them instead of just admiring them. And the aforementioned Gunkata wasn't a joke! The martial art of firearms has never looked so damn good, and is just exhilarating to watch!

The acting is a little trickier to rate, as the majority of the characters are meant to be emotionless, and in that respect they do an adequate job. But the ones that do feel such as Preston, Cleric Partridge (Sean Bean) and "Emotional Content violators" (Such as Emily Watson) are a sharp contrast to the sedated majority. It is in Christian Bale's performance that we see true acting chops as he slowly transforms from apathetic drone into a real person who feels, loves, hates and questions his own existence.

Equilibrium has something for everyone in it. Intense action (I feel is superior to The Matrix) that is just fun to watch. Social commentary on what it means to truly be human and the importance of emotions. Hell, there is even some heavy hitting drama, especially revolving around Preston's relationship with his young son.

Oh, and there is a cute puppy ... you know, if you are into that thing.

 

Do yourself a favor, and check out Equilibrium today! And just in case you don't want to take my word on it here is the trailer: