DEATH SENTENCE
US, 2007, 103 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Bacon, Garrett Hedlund, Kelly Preston, Aisha Tyler, John Goodman.
Directed by James Wan.
In the 1970s Brian Garfield wrote the confronting novel, Death Wish. It was filmed in 1974 with Charles Bronson and raised controversies about vigilanteism, taking the law into one’s own hands when justice seems to be inadequate or ineffectual. It raised questions about the effect of this kind of brutality by ordinary citizens on themselves and their families. There were three sequels.
Based on Garfield novels, Death Sentence is this theme revisited for the 21st century. Not that it has not been filmed often enough already. This time is made by James Wan from Australia who directed the box-office success, Saw. He also directed Dead Silence. He directs this film with flash and flair, especially raising tension and providing a breathless chase. He is served well by having Kevin Bacon as the central character whose life is changed by a ruthless and cold-blooded murder and decides to take action himself. He does not consider the repercussions as he initiates a gang war between some thugs and himself which has devastating results for himself and his family.
For about three quarters of the film, one can appreciate the emotional and conscience dilemmas for a businessman who is told that his son’s murderer will get a deal which will have him back on the streets quite quickly. The aggressive emotion is well staged. The horror of his revenge sinks home. Then the violence consequences make the audience realise that it is not simply a matter of justice equations to make up for injustice. So far, so good but controversial and challenging.
And, then, of course, Death Sentence goes for vigilante broke and the makers go for exploitation treatment rather than the more serious approach they had begun with. Which means that we leave the cinema focussed on the final bloodbath rather than the issues initially raised.
1.The background of Death Wish, the novel in the 70s, the novels and the films, American cities and gangs, vigilante action, ineffectual justice? The effect of vigilante action on the perpetrator?
2.The adaptation to the 21st century, the dismal picture of American cities, the world of the gangs, initiation by murder, instilling terror, the role of the police, lawyers, doing deals?
3.The visuals of the city, ugly, the homes, offices, the courts, warehouses, car parks, the streets, the slums? The musical score? For atmosphere?
4.The styles of the camerawork, the different gradings of the colour for the different worlds of Nick and of the gangs? The contrasts? The dark world? Action and pace? The editing of the chase sequence? The special effects?
5.The title, as relating to the criminals, as to Nick, and his family getting a death sentence?
6.The build-up, the home videos, the opening credits, the sketch of the family, their bonds, Brendan and his skill at hockey, Lucas and his not being favoured, the younger brother? The meals, the clash between the two brothers, yet the affection? The mother coping, her love for her husband? Hopes and a future?
7.The hockey game, Nick and his applause? The phone call, driving home, running out of petrol, passing the car with no lights, the return of the car, the gang and their brutality, shooting the shopkeeper, the dare and slitting Brendan’s throat? Nick and his grief, taking his son to the hospital, his death, the sadness of the funeral?
8.Dealing with the police, the lawyer, lack of evidence except his witness, the deal, the court, the judge, the killer mocking Nick, his making his decision, not testifying, following the perpetrator, seeing the gang, going to the apartments, seen by the girlfriend, the fight with the killer, stabbing him? The effect on Nick, his hand cut, bleeding, Lucas and home, going to have the shower, his wife’s consolation? His inability to tell them the truth?
9.Nick at work, his hand and its bleeding? The assistant and his help? The discussions about chaos theory, equations? The police officer, noting the hand?
10.The drama of the chase, identifying with Nick, the gang and their meeting, the restaurant, toasting the dead man, going into the streets, attacking Nick, the shooting, running across the street, down the lanes, through the kitchen, into the car park, Nick shrewd and getting the alarms going off, the confrontation with the gangster in the car, it backing, his jumping off, its crashing?
11.Throwing away his case, the gang getting his wallet, his identity, his family? The phone call? The threats, going to the police, the officer coming to the house, her warning, the surveillance of the house, killing the watching cops, entering into the house, the brutality, shooting the family?
12.The film to this point, the emotions, the reasons for vigilante action, anger? Illustrating the consequences, the change in Nick?
13.His awaking, going to see his son, going to buy the guns, shaving his head, at home, visiting the dealer, the dealer’s background, seeing him with his sons and his despising of them, selling the guns?
14.The father going to see his son, his son killing him?
15.The final confrontation, the violence, the shootout? Billy and Nick, made equal by their brutality? The equation? Nick shooting him?
16.Going home, the news that his son would life? The change in Nick, his future? The impact of this vigilante action on the audience – those who would take sides with the gang, those who would take sides with Nick?
