David Mamet is arguably one of the best and most successful modern playwrights. The acclaimed writer of The Untouchables and Wag the Dog is back with another success, Redbelt, a drama about Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor, American Gangster), a virtuous blackbelt and jiu-jitsu instructor who finds himself in financial and ethical turmoil.
As the last honorable fighter in a corrupt world bent on ruining his beloved activity, Terry is out to prove that honor and dedication, rather than dishonesty and distortion, are the ways to success.
On the surface, it would seem Redbelt is another ingenuous karate action movie, not unlike this year’s lackluster Never Back Down. On the contrary, Mamet’s masterful prose elevates this film to the highest of standards, reminding audiences that even action movies can be deep and meaningful.
One of the best aspects of this film – thanks to Mamet, who also directs the film – is how each character is completely 3-D and credible. With Mamet’s work, you actually care about the characters. Redbelt is no different.
Some of the film’s best subplots include a panicky lawyer in need of a self-defense lesson (Emily Mortimer, Lars and the Real Girl) and a troubled movie star (Tim Allen, Wild Hogs) in need of a friend. It’s refreshing to see Allen play a completely dramatic role for a change, and this movie suits him extremely well.
Although Allen’s role in this film is a tough one to beat, Ejiofor’s first jab at a leading role is a knockout punch. Ejiofor might be one of the most deserving actors of such a starring role, with so many solid supporting roles in movies such as Talk To Me, Children of Men, and Melinda and Melinda. As Terry, Ejiofor carries himself with a confidence and an air of old wisdom, but hidden behind the buff exterior is a man of deep sadness. Ejiofor somehow pulls off being defeated and determined at the same time, making the movie’s depth is better for it.
But in the end, it all comes back to the film’s writing. Even in the film’s arena of professional fighting, Mamet injects high drama and thorough detail into the world of karate, jiu-jitsu and self-discipline. This is realism at its best, and Mamet incorporates everything he knows from his work in theater and even his groundbreaking writing for The Unit.
This isn’t your typical action film. The film is all dialogue and no music – not even “Eye of the Tiger” – until the final culmination of the film’s events. This stark approach in many ways is similar to David Cronenberg’s films Eastern Promises and A History of Violence, but Mamet puts his own trademark on the film.
While there will be many superhero films this summer, Redbelt is a grounded reminder of heroism through honesty, loyalty and principle.
dsmith5@umd.edu
RATING: 4 STARS OUT OF 5.
