The only thing you respect is stupidity (One Eight Seven (DVD))

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	One Eight Seven (DVD)
Date:	13/11/09 (15 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great plot, acting and delvery

Disadvantages: Nothing

People usually associate Samuel L Jackson with the fast talking and hard hitting roles he has dominated over the past couple of decades. However, he also has a few gems to add to his list, and this is one of them.

Jackson plays a schoolteacher who is relocated following an attack by a student. Examining the bullying aspect with the teacher being the target takes the film into an intriguing setup, and Jackson's turn as a teacher under immense pressure and apparent mental instability is excellent.

The film's visuals are qutie tricky to take in at points as a lot of it is filmed at night, and some of the youths involved are well covered up. This, in turn, means that differentiating between some of the characters is sometimes confusing. However, it is the underlying factor of what pupil to teacher bullying will result in, and how the pressures manifest themselves that is really what the film is about.

187 manages to conceal a lot of the plot, keeping us guessing as to what is happening for most of it. There are a number of crimes involved, where something deeper and more sinister could actually have happened. It is the silences in the films that actually have more power, and the late night jaunts that we see Jackson taking, the closeups on his face telling a thousand tales, yet giving away nothing.

The film has occasional violence, and implied violence, and a lot of swearing, so it's definitely for adults only. It's thoroughly gripping from start to finish, and it's really interesting to see how it develops. Jackson is fabulous in the role of Trevor Garfield, and it shows just how versatile an actor he is, flitting between a scared man and a vengeful one. Kevin Reynolds doe a fabulous job of making sure that the film doesn't meander away from the prize, and it keeps its focus throughout.

Portrayal of youth crime in the States is often given a bad rap by films, but here it seems to have quite a mature approach, and this must also be praised. It is not afraid to open up all possibilities in terms of plot, and show that there are innocents who get caught up in vengeance, but also there are those who live and breathe trouble. These are also well acted by a group of young stars, and it is not just Jackson who must be applauded here.

Overall, it is a gripping film that is well worth watching. Watch it closely, and take everything in, though, as it's the sort of film you need to concentrate on. It's not one to have on in the background or anything, the plot details actually matter. It seems that 187 is quite tricky to get hold of on DVD. I have a VHS copy but currently, a DVD copy looks like setting you back near enough £15 from amazon. It's well worth watching, and if you can grab it on TV at some point, or if you want to fork out for the DVD, I highly recommend doing so. It's a very well made and acted, powerful film.

Summary: 1997 tense drama with Samuel L Jackson on top form