When you see the movie trailers for the Book of Eli, you get a feeling of Mad Max. A post-apocalypic world filled with violence and action. You get a sense of the lone gunsliner (ala Clint Eastwood's famous gunfighter without a name, or even the Samurai his character is based upon) wandering the land spreading a unique mix of justice, vengance, honor, and moral apathy. This is what the trailer brings to mind.
The movie itself is another thing though. It is slow in pace, like Once Upon A Time In America. It's bleak, like so many after the end of the world movies. It's a journey that is dark and harsh, and not quite enjoyable because it's not supposed to be. Which makes complete sense why the film was released in January. Execs didn't know how to market this.
The harsh lighting of the film makes you never comfortable with what you are seeing. Almost making you want to squint as much as the actors. It is a constant reminder that the world has become unpleasant, and brutal.
The soundtrack is filled with interesting notes. It easily matches the feel of the movie as it surges in confrontation and ebbs through transition. It's almost completely unheard, save for 2 songs that will strike a cord for anyone that listens to oldies channels. Personally I think either Classical or 60's rock would have been better, but the choices used make sense.
Book of Eli gives us the mostly silent, brooding hero that is imperfect in a far from perfect world. The early inaction to save a woman from being raped is matched with the compassion of allowing another woman that is bait to live. A good deed that has a reward just as painful as you might imagine it to be.
Early on we know what the book is, though there is a twist to it that you just won't expect. Even so this is hardly a religious film. It's a film about conviction and faith. The faith of Eli to do what he believes he must, and to walk though the valley of death to get it done.
Denzel Washington is not the action hero you would expect for this film. If you are hoping for Mad Max, you won't get it. But you do get a strong character with a presence that stands out in every seen. And you feel the burden of his character in every word and step.
Mila Kunis has a decent role. A far cry from her television personality, the role hints at greater acting depth. Hints at it but never quite makes it. You never get to feel for her character Solaris. You just understand that she is there. Not really helping, or standing out. But not a disteraction either. It's an odd role to fill and if she was intended to be so subdued then she did a great job.
Gary Oldman was probably the least pleasant of all the actors in the film. Not because he is a bad actor, but because he never really gets into the Carnegie character. You know that Carnegie is willing to do whatever it takes to keep control. That he wants power. That he can be ruthless. But you never feel the fear he seems to instill in the townsfolk, nor the loyalty of his key enforcers. He's a bad guy virtually devoid of his evil, like a Stansfield without the energy or panache.
Watching this film you feel like you are always waiting for something to happen. Not in an edge of your seat kind of way, but s in a "something big should happen" kind of feeling. And it never does. Even in the final scenes of the film you never get a sense of completion. It feels empty, like something was missed.
I can't balme the writing or acting, or visuals of this film. None are impeccable yet none are badly done. It's just not compelling. Interesting but not the rush you expect walking into the film.
The Book of Eli is a good film for watching on DVD. To pick at the subtle references, and specific lines. To let it simmer in your mind and to wonder about a world gone so wrong. To consider what price redemption might cost, and how it might be paid.
This is not an action movie fan's movie. This is not a Mad Max sci-fi fan film. It's just odd. Watchable, but odd. Almost like watching Grand Canyon - a film that is more just a moment in time than entertainment.
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