Action/Adventure/Crime
2 hours and 2 minutes
Rated: R
Written by: J.D. Zeik & David Mamet
Directed by: John Frankenheimer
Produced by: Frank Mancuso Jr.
Cast:
Robert De Niro
Jean Reno
Natascha McElhone
Stellan Skarsgård
Sean Bean
Jonathan Pryce
Anyone is an enemy for a price.
Most action films ignore the idea of a well-thought-out, intelligent storyline. Like zombie films, they don't ask their audience to read into the realism behind what is being told. Instead, they offer a kind hand to movie goers and ask that they come with them for the next hour and a half to two hours for a thrill ride of something that won't stimulate you intellectually, but will undoubtedly be a fun and entertaining experience well worth the price of admission. Most action movie junkies don't ask for more than a good shootout, or a thrilling car chase to keep them happy. The thing about John Frankenheimer's Ronin is that it is a refreshing addition to the action movie canon in that it is incredibly thrilling in regards to its jaw-dropping action sequences, but it is also a highly intelligent, well-thought-out story that is bound to keep whoever watches it hooked on its MacGuffin centerpiece ... what was in the case?
Knowing that action fans aren't necessarily looking for a wordy espionage thriller - or something along the lines of Fred Schepisi's The Russia House - Frankenheimer understood that this intricate thriller needed some impressive action sequences to keep these fans satisfied. And boy, did he ever deliver. Ronin is filled with some of the most impressive car chase sequences that have ever been conceived - surely, just as impressive as some of the grittier carsploitation films that were pumped out of the 1970s. The narrow and windy streets of both Paris and Nice are perfectly utilized to the fullest of their extent, causing every turn taken by the film's heroes and villains to beg the question in the audience's mind, "Is this where it will end?" The innovative use of such a daring setting can perhaps only be rivaled by Peter Yates' use of San Francisco in his 1968 film Bullitt. But not to be out shined by the film's car chases is perhaps the film's shootouts. Marvelously choreographed in the heart of the French Riviera or on the streets of Paris - Frankenheimer once again masterfully uses the film's locations to the film's advantage.
These action sequences and car chases are captured masterfully by director of photography Robert Fraisse. Fraisse understood that the fast paced action demanded to be seen in all its glory and each shot captured is done with a steady hand. These sequences were then cut together by editor Antony Gibbs using quick cuts, none lasting more than maybe one or two seconds unless called for. This combination of steady, well-framed shots with quick cuts brings the speed and adrenaline behind these sequences directly to the viewer while simultaneously allowing them to see everything that occurs - not missing a single moment.
But of course what makes Ronin such a unique film is its level of intelligence in regards to its plot. The entire story, if any real negative thing can be said about it then it is this, is a very standard and generic heist story. The first twenty minutes involve the characters discussing what they will steal, the heist occurs, double crosses happen, and the protagonist must make things right in the film's third act. While this goes along with the simplistic nature of the action genre, Ronin is unique in that it is perhaps the only film up until its time to center the stereotypical heist storyline around the idea of a MacGuffin. The entire film, the audience - along with the majority of the characters, including the protagonist - don't know what it is they are stealing. This question becomes quickly irrelevant, focusing the audience's attention away from the heist, and back to the interwoven subplots that are the cause of all the stereotypical double crosses and betrayals. It's a genius plot device that Frankenheimer, again, masterfully exploits.
The film's characters are perhaps a bit lacking, no real characterization is given in regards to any of them - and makes certain scenarios in the film seem a tad unbelievable, for example, the implied fling between De Niro's character and Natascha McElhone's feels unnecessary and like a last minute addition to try and add some depth to their characters. Despite this lack of depth to the characters, the actors handle their own and deliver some truly impressive performances. Specifically, Robert De Niro and Jean Reno as the film's two protagonists. Given their character's lack of depth, it's truly a testament to these great performers' capabilities that sooner rather than later they have the audience siding with the both of them completely. Equally impressive is Jonathan Pryce as the film's IRA-agent-gone-rogue antagonist. Pryce has even fewer scenes than De Niro and Reno, and yet he still delivers a truly compelling performance that allows the viewers to gasp in anticipation of something bad to come every time he is present.
There is a last minute twist to the film that affects mainly De Niro's character and while it doesn't entirely detract from the quality of the film - it does make one wonder if it had been excluded from the final cut, would Ronin have suffered in any way in regards to its own quality? Perhaps it was added by Frankenheimer, writers Mamet and Zeik, or maybe even suggested by De Niro - but whatever the case, this denouement feels like a last minute addition to add yet another stimulating plot twist.
While it will most likely never be remembered as one of the greatest contributions to cinema, Ronin is a surprising film that is as intellectually stimulating as it is entertaining. The action sequences are beyond impressive - even more so now in the era of CGI. We're becoming so used to computer-generated action sequences that when we do come across films with impressive practical effects, it becomes apparent that that is truly the more impressive route. The storyline is intricately woven, but never once loses its level of intelligence - something that is unique to find among action films. And its impressive cast deliver astounding performances despite very little given to them in regards to characterization. Ronin remains, to this day, a truly astounding film.
8.5/10
No comments:
Post a Comment