Ryan McNeil
Looking around the blogosphere, I’m about to stand squarely in the minority and try to convince y’all that BOOK OF ELI is a good movie. Maybe I think it’s good because I expected it to suck…or maybe it’s because I liked how it gave its action a moment or two of thoughtfulness. It’s both actually, and more, that makes me one of the few who will try to convince you that this latest Denzel ass-kicker is worth your time and money. Allow me to present my argument…
Eli (Denzel Washington) used to be a K-Mart greeter. Yes, really. That was before the apocalypse. Nowadays he wanders what’s left of America…”heading west” he says with a scary looking knife, some expensive-ass earbuds, and a large book in his bag. He is seldom shaken from his quest, in fact he has been known to kill people trying to keep him from staying on the path. He does however decide to stop in a human settlement when his iPod needs recharging. Yes, really.
The camp is run by Carnegie (Gary Oldman), a gangster who holds sway over all the townspeople’s comings and goings since he controls the water. Carnegie is obsessed with finding a book. Which book? We’re not quite sure. When Eli gets into a skirmish with fifteen of his thugs and comes out on top, Carnegie immediately wants Eli working for him. Too bad Eli has no interest in being under Carnegie’s employ. Carnegie decides he might get further using his kept woman Claudia (Jennifer Beals)…or rather using her daughter Solara (Mila Kunis).
This turns out to be a great move, since Solara disarms Eli just enough to find out more about the large books he’s hiding. Turns out it’s a bible, and it turns out that it’s exactly the book that Carnegie has been looking for. Carnegie makes his move to forcibly take it, but Eli seems to have a particular gift for protecting it. So much so, that he often seems unkillable. Yes, really.
Before I go on, I should say that the movie takes a turn in its final act. Your enjoyment of the film depends entirely on whether or not you want to take that turn with it. I went with the trick, even though I don’t think it completely adds up. The plot device didn’t bother me nearly as much as Denzel’s pearly white teeth did. It’s post apocalyptic America…you mean to tell me he’s still happening upon Crest White Strips?
Surprisingly, THE BOOK OF ELI is pretty good…not great, but pretty good. Going past the action – which is fun without being excessive – the movie is particularly interested in telling us a story. It’s a story that wants us to think about the role religion plays in our world’s events. After all, religion has been the cause of some of humanity’s worst attrocities…and religion has been a guiding light when humanity had seemingly nothing left. Both sides of this paradox get their due in this movie, and they have their moment without being corny or preachy. Not an easy trick for an action film to turn!
Another details that I liked about the movie, is it’s brief nod towards how disposable and materialistic our society has become. During a quiet moment, Solara asks Eli about “the world before”, and all Eli can answer with is how much mankind owned that they truly did not need. Conversely, he points out, we were wasteful. We would constantly throw away items that people now kill for. I can’t help but gravitate towards this subtle warning. I mean, if the bomb were to drop somewhere right now, what would be more valuable: the computer I’m writing this blog on or the tube of Chapstick sitting on the desk with it? BOOK OF ELI gives this sort of question its due…not the sort of philosophy you’d expect in a shoot-em-up.
These details are what I believe make the film worthwhile. It strikes a delicate balance between style and statement…and it really didn’t have to. It very easily could have played to its built-in audience of Denzel/action fans, taken its box office and called it a day. But this sort of movie working few theories into the script and try to give its audience something to take away is rare, and indeed something special.
Hmmm…it's possible that you just might have convinced me to give it a shot. Way to keep the expectations still tempered while giving it an endorsement. And I must admit, I'm curious to see what this turn of events in the final act is…
Three out of four, that beats my three out of five. There are lots wrong that could put people of but on the whole I liked it! I liked it but not as much as you. I really liked the way the movie ended, it really work well especially as I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t think about “Denzel's pearly white teeth” but did wonder about his 40 year old ipod, mine went wrong after a few months!
Im glad you liked it, I was really surprised by how good it was. Honestly with the bad reviews I was a bit wary but the Hughes brothers pulled it off
My husband is pushing hard to see this so I'm obliged since he doesn't care much for movies. It looks intriguing but there are other things I'd rather see in the theatre. After your review I'm more amped about giving it a shot, since I usually like the same movies as you. Thanks for helping let go of some of the pent up hostility I have for not being able to pick this time.
@ Fletch… Wow, never knew I had that sort of sway! As for the turn, it just so happens Bruce Willis was dead the whole time!!! (Wait, that's not right…)
@ Number Six… True, my score of a B is a tad higher than your C, but in the end we both dig it. I got a grin from the iPod too, especially since I used to own that model. Of course, if my current iPod is still running after the bomb drops, I'd probably do a dance of joy – doesn't take much to keep me happy.
@ TJ… I recorded a podcast about this movie on the weekend, and in the midst of doing it I realized The Hughes Bros. hadn;t done a movie in eight freakin' years! Any clue why they were gone for so long?
@ Heather… I go through that with Lady Hatter sometimes – usually during awards season. Give it a go and rest easy knowing that it's not quite as brainless as we all might have thought…then be sure to write about it so we can compare notes.
When I first saw the trailer months ago I wasn't impressed, but I like Denzel so I still might check it out on dvd.
Btw, you've been nominated! 🙂 http://wp.me/pxXPC-Pb You're an inspiration, Hatter, keep up the great work!
I'm not sure I really liked the commentary about materialism and greed (although it's such a quaint, trivial side-note).
However, I definitely "like" the film. There's just something quietly reverential about Denzel walking the streets of the apocalypse as this martial-arts prophet. It's goofy 21st century religiosity, but it works for the most part.
There are a couple scenes that threw me off – most of them had Mila Kunis in them. Plus the last ten minutes sort of just glide along without resonating where it should have. Even with the twist (which sort-of works), the ending could have been stronger.
All in all, it was nice time for a January release. I've given it a lot of thought over the past few days which is certainly a good sign.
This is such a lackluster period of the year in terms of release but I'm hearing a few good things about this movie. I might check it out in a few weeks when it gets to one of those cheaper theater where you can watch movies that were released a few weeks before for $2.50
This movie's going to look dated in 15-20 years when the ipod fad is over and/or K-mart is out of business.
Castor, you say it’s a lacklustre period. It’s completely different here in England. In the early part of the year you get everything. The Oscar contenders, the small films that don’t want to compete with the summer or Christmas blockbusters as well as the movies were just scheduled for this time of year. So far this year I have seen: The Road, Daybreakers, The Book of Eli, 44 Inch Chest and Up in the Air. I enjoyed them all. Then this weekend we have A Prophet, Ninja Assassin and The Boys Are Back all opening. Top of my list to see is A Prophet, France’s selection for best foreign language Oscar.
@ rtm… Do give it a look, and thanks so much for nominating me again.
@ Chase… Yeah, it sorta sticks with you, doesn't it? This sort of film doesn't usually stick with me, so I'm seeing that as a good thing.
@ Castor… Sounds like a plan. This isn't the sort of film that I think you need to run-not-walk to see, so saving a few bucks on it isn't such a bad idea. Might even heighten your enjoyment knowing you didn't pay full pop!
@ Tom… iPods have been around for nine years now, kinda hard to call such a thing "a fad" wouldn't you say? Besides, it's a minor detail. The film might actually age better than you think – there isn't as much sci-fi wizardry at play driving the story!
@ Number Six… I'm with you. Even in North America, January isn't such a bad time. I'd gladly take it over the dreck we get served in March and April.
Nice review, Hats! I didn't want to read yours until I wrote mine – but seems like we picked up on some similar vibes with the film.
Argue argue disagree disagree. I do get the film's message on what we place value on in these days, but I never felt like the film wanted to sell it. Sort of like a door to door salesman coming up knocking on the door, offering you their new line of cutlery, then coming inside and showing you Bay's Armageddon on a new TV.
Multiple sort of messages, that tie the plot kind of together. But it always felt like filler action that builds to the climax and just plops down after that with too time to spare. So they wander a bit, and go TADA to a rather flat finale.
@ Univarn… Just because a film ramps up the action to drive home its point doesn't mean it has gone off-book.
This film never claimed to be a message-driven-drama…it happened to have a message, which gave the action a bit more purpose.
It's far from perfect, but I felt like its discussion of the positive and negative power of religion, and the wastefulness of consumerism were good touches that held an otherwise unorginal story together.