| "Fracture" is an
awkward film to rate. It looks fantastic. It is
thoroughly entertaining. It is tremendously well acted.
It maintains a high level of tension and suspense. What's not
to love? Well, after the viewing, just a few moments of reasoned
thought are required to tear down the walls of this entirely
implausible film. It is one of those movies that seems
relatively logical while you are going through the motions, but that
dissolves into smoke and mirrors upon further reflection.
Tony Hopkins Squeezes the Trigger.
Anthony Hopkins plays Ted, a plane crash investigator. A
typically unnecessary anecdote about eggshells explains why he is so
good at spotting flaws in anything or anyone. After having
seen the film, this is apparently not even remotely true.
Ted shoots his wife (the tasty Embeth Davitz) because she is
cheating on him with a homicide detective. The crime scene of
the attempted murder is all meticulously staged as he awaits the
arrival of the police.
Ryan and Rosamund in a Flirt-off.
Ryan Baby-Goose plays Willy, a hotshot young attorney with a 97%
conviction rate. He is assigned to prosecuting Ted, who has
been caught at the murder scene with a gun and has signed a
confession. It seems like another slam-dunk victory on his way
to lawyerly success.
Rosamund Pike ("Die Another Day", "Pride & Prejudice", "The
Libertine", "Doom", "Promised Land, "Devil You Know") plays the
uncontrollably sexy Nikki, an even bigger hotshot attorney whose
law-firm is about to hire Willy. The two of them engage in an
altogether PG romance.
Gosling and Hopkins play imaginary
chess.
Inevitably, the case is not as easy as it seems on the surface.
The actual murder weapon is never found. The confession is
coerced by the man who is sleeping with the victim. Ted
defends himself in court like man who has thought of every tiny
detail.
The film plays out smoothly, always keeping the viewer guessing
-- never lingering long enough on one scene that we catch its flaws.
There are tons of red-herrings and misdirections as we try to get to
the end before the director does. It is a perfectly
professional production.
Miranda Frost and James Bond???
Ironically, "Fracture" does not hold up well to close inspection.
Limits of coincidence, laws of physics, and the bending of legality
to suit the plot are all stretched to the breaking point.
I cannot go into the details of the contrivances without giving
away plot elements that are crucial to a virgin viewing experience
-- However, it goes without saying that you will just have to turn
off the logic-barometer in parts.
Hopkins is typically terrific as the cold-blooded killer with the
mind of a genius. His witty banter and confident winks are the
work of a brilliant and assured actor. He is always in control
of the screen.
Rosamund Pike is a modern day screen goddess who can slink across
the silver screen in the company of Grace Kelly and Kim Novak --
both Hitchcock Blondes (a role that Pike masterfully made her own in
a West End production). She crams a sharp turn into her
limited screen-time here. It is just a shame that the
director/studio (whoever it may be) decided to cut most of the
incredibly steamy scenes that were promised in the trailer.
Rosamund Pike... Will You Marry Me?
Ryan Baby-Goose (aka Gosling) is a fine actor. I am not
sure that he warrants the young Brando comparisons that have been
ludicrously bandied about lately. He has a frustrating habit
of mumbling on screen... Like he is too lazy to actually move his
lips. He is an understated actor (a trait I usually respect
and admire), but sometimes to the point of extremes. He often
comes across as trying too little. Nevertheless, he is solid
here, basically playing the wall to Anthony Hopkins' tennis racquet.
I could have used a little more Hopkins.
I could have used a little more Pike.
I could have used a little less Gosling.
I could have used a little less blabbing.
I could have used a little more action.
I could have used a little more steam.
I could have used a little less foreshadowing.
I could have used a little more logic.
I could have used a little less silly.
The mechanics of the "Fracture" plot
laid bare. |
