Redbelt

I’ve noticed that David Mamet films often generate two opposite reactions. People either love them immensely, and feel that Mamet is a genius, or hate the movies, and feel he is vastly overrated. It's funny, because depending on the film, I have felt both. There is no doubt though that Mamet takes some getting used to, and if one were to experience his films for the very first time, “Redbelt” might be a great one to start with, because, as far as Mamet films go, this may be one of the easiest to follow.

Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Mike Terry, a jiu-jitsu instructor whose academy has fallen on hard times financially, but maintains a small core of dedicated students, including officer Joe Ryan (Max Martini). Terry's wife Sondra (Alice Braga) runs a small clothing business on the side, and keeps the academy afloat by paying the bills with her earnings. A chance encounter with a troubled lawyer (Emily Mortimer) sets in motion the events that fuel the majority of the film, which involve a number of colorful characters, including the “struggling movie star” (Tim Allen), his shady manager (Joe Mantegna), a nervous loan shark (David Paymer), and a pompous fight-promoter (Mamet regular Ricky Jay). How all these characters are intertwined into the story I will leave for you to discover on your own, but, suffice it to say, all the characters and story angles mesh into one rather solid story.

The characters in Mamet films can rarely be described as morally upstanding citizens, and those in “Redbelt” are no different. Mamet films thrive on lies, deceptions, and back-stabbing (sometimes literally), and the shady dealings of the majority of Redbelt's colorful characters maintain those seedy standards. This film is rated “R,” and it is primarily for strong language. The F-word is heard a number of times, as are just about every other phrase we've heard in movies, but not in huge amounts. There is some violence in the fight scenes, and one character is seen dead with a gunshot wound to the head.

There isn't much in terms of sexual content. We do see one woman briefly in her underwear, while she is changing, and there is implied nudity as she finishes changing off-screen. As with any film, Christians should make the decision whether to watch this movie based on their own standards, but this movie is most certainly one for adult audiences, Christian or not.

There are no references in the film to God, and when the characters find themselves in need of help of any kind, they rely on man to get them through it, when as Christians, we realize that God is what these characters need most, not a bigger loan, or a thriving business, or anything else that may drive them. Naturally, we recognize this is a movie, and don't expect these characters to be godly, wholesome people, and these characters will definitely leave Christian audiences with topics to discuss afterwards.

As a whole, “Redbelt” is a captivating film from the very beginning. Mamet is, of course, a master of realistic dialog that somehow always feels awkward (but not in a bad way), and once again delivers the goods. He is aided this time with a splendid cast of Mamet newcomers, and Mamet regulars. Ejiofor is simply stunning as Mike Terry. His performance is convincing in every frame, and we have trouble taking our eyes off the screen, because he is that commanding in this role. Tim Allen takes on a role that, on paper, doesn't seem to fit his style, but he delivers a strong supporting performance that reminded me of Steve Martin’s dramatic turn in Mamet's “The Spanish Prisoner.” Emily Mortimer is great, as always, as a woman who is forced to face her fears and take on a risky challenge to help herself.

My only dislike of “Redbelt” was the fight scenes. Often in the film, as we see people fighting in the background, or fighting in a video, or surveillance cameras, we are very much aware that the scenes are staged. They are shot in a jumpy way, and simply look fake. But, at the end of the day, when that's the worst I can say about “Redbelt,” I'm alright with a little phony fighting.

Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Minor