Stereotyped Predictability (Fracture (DVD))

Member Name: GoFigure

Product:	Fracture (DVD)
Date:	27/01/09 (4 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great acting - good storyline.

Disadvantages: Predictable.

Directed by: Gregory Hoblit
Screenplay by: Daniel Pyne & Glenn Gers
Genre: Crime - Thriller - Mystery - Drama
Country: USA/Germany
Certification: 15+
Language: English
Released: 13th August, 2007 (DVD)


MAIN CAST:
Anthony Hopkins (Theodore 'Ted' Crawford)
Ryan Gosling (DDA William 'Willy' Beachum)
David Strathairn (DA Joe Lobruto)
Rosamund Pike (Nikki Gardner)
Embeth Davidtz (Jennifer Crawford)
Billy Burke (Lt. Robert Nunally)


Discovering that his wife is cheating on him with a police detective, Theodore shoots her and blatantly confesses to the crime. Thinking that it's a done deal, that the case is an opened and closed one that is guaranteed to be won, William, the district defence attorney, quickly snaps it up.

Unbeknownst to him, Theodore has no intention of making life easy for him. In fact, Theodore changes his plea to not-guilty, and waives his right for an attorney in order to represent himself. From that moment on, William's life takes a turn for the worst, and with his new job hanging in the balance, he is forced, for the first time in his life, to use his wits in order to win a case.

Anthony Hopkins is at his stereotypical best in this movie... a cunning lunatic without an inkling of remorse whose greatest pleasure it is to outsmart the judicial system. No - this isn't the Silence of the Lambs or even Hannibal - but it's darned close! The truth is, from the very moment that Theodore shoots his wife, the entire story becomes predictable. Why? Because Hopkins has done it before... he has become so stereotypical in this genre, that you know in advance that the arrogant genius-come-lunatic is eventually going to get caught in his own game.

I like Hopkins, I really do, but his appearance in this type of movie guarantees to make it predictable and, in the end, spoil what would otherwise have been a good movie. Whoever cast him in this role should be fired... they didn't do themselves any favours. True, Hopkins is a brilliant actor, but casting him in the same type of role that he is famous for spoils the plot.

The general consensus in regards to this movie was that it was deserving of a 4-star, however, because Hopkins' role made the movie so predictable, and because I was bored silly, I have given it a 2-star. No, I'm not out gunning for Hopkins - so don't send me any threatening e-mails! This is a good movie, it possesses a great storyline and some really good acting... but there are no surprises. If you've seen Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal, you'll recognize the main character for what he is...and the rest is predictable.

If you haven't seen Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal (where have you been?)... then you should definitely rent this movie because you are going to love it.

Summary: A district defence attorney takes on the case of a man who shot his wife thinking it'll be easy...