THE SAMARITAN
Canada, 2012, 116 minutes, Colour.
Samuel L. Jackson, Luke Kirby, Ruth Negga, Gil Bellows, Deborah Kara Unger, Tom Wilkinson.
Directed by David Weaver.
The Samaritan has no reference to the gospel parable but is the name of a sting, a grift, a con in order to inveigle someone out of a great deal of money.
This is a Canadian production with Samuel L. Jackson as one of the producers, and opportunity for him to play a man who spent 25 years in prison for the murder of his partner, forced on him by a criminal gang. He tries to reconstruct his life, meeting old associates who want nothing to do with him, but getting the attention of the son of the murdered man who has plans for him to participate in a sting.
Initially, the film moves rather slowly, gradually building up to some plot developments, a revelation about Jackson’s character, Foley, and his relationship with a young woman, Iris, Ruth Negga. Unexpected implications mean that the young man is able to blackmail Foley into participating in the sting. The target is played by Tom Wilkinson with a rather over-the-top accent and performance. Deborah Kara Unger plays a woman who is to participate in the sting.
This is an ugly world, savage violence taken for granted, the film inviting the audience into it, to try to understand something of the motivations of criminals as well as of the ambiguous central character.
1. A crime thriller? Character study?
2. Canadian production, settings, the prison, the city, apartments, parole officers, bars, mansions of the wealthy? Musical score?
3. The title, the name of the sting by the grifters?
4. Samuel L. Jackson as Foley, in prison and his ruminations, getting out, parole officer, trying to get employment, going to see old associates and their not wanting anything to do with him, meeting Ethan, the son of the man he killed? The flashback to the forced execution? Going to the bar, Iris and the attempted rape and his hitting the assailant? His age, experience?
5. Ethan, son of his father, resenting the death of his father, his background in crime, son of his father? The story of his mother, her new boyfriend, the attack? His control over Foley, over Iris? The contact with Xavier? His wanting to force Foley into helping him with the sting? The blackmail, the pressure? Setting him up with Iris? Sabotaging his job on the worksite? The revelation about his daughter, Foley’s reaction? The pressure on Foley and the threats to Iris? Foley reluctantly agreeing?
6. Iris, drugs, prostitution, the approach to Foley, in the bar, his rescuing her from the rape attempt? The encounters, talking, the sexual attraction, setting up house, the mutual love, the confidences? Ethan and the revelation that Iris was Foley’s daughter? Foley’s reaction, wanting to protect Iris? His urging her to go away? Her going with Ethan? Becoming part of the plot?
7. Foley, the relationship with Iris, the revelation of the truth, its effect, his wanting to protect Iris? Ethan’s blackmail? The encounter with the thug, the fight, his death, putting him in the boot of the car?
8. Agreement about the sting, the plan with Helena, the meeting, discussions, the wife and the money routine, her response to Ethan, to Foley, her hanging herself?
9. Iris coming in on the plan, posing as Foley’s daughter? Putting herself in the situation with Xavier? Phone call, the plan, the execution of the plan? Iris denouncing it, telling the truth, knowing about being Foley’s daughter? The shootings? Ethan shot, his shooting at Foley and Iris? Ethan,
the confrontation with Xavier, Xavier wanting to do all the money laundering deals? Foley killing him?
10. Foley’s friend, doing surgical work, the blood transfusion, Foley willing, giving his life for Iris?
11. The film immersing the audience in a seedy and ugly world?
