Give your brain a workout

By Mike Carron

"Tell me about Jenny."

These words filled the dark screen at the beginning of the amazingly crafted film, The Limey. The story follows Wilson (Terence Stamp) as he tries to discover and kill the people responsible for his daughter Jenny’s death. Wilson’s quest is to gain revenge. However, this movie is not just another shoot-em-up thriller. Instead, it is a complex drama which drags viewers into Wilson’s mindset and forces his agitation and anticipation onto them.

Director Stephen Soderberg uses flash-forwards and flash-backs to drive Wilson’s emotions into the viewers. Each scene gives the audience something to look forward to as they follow Wilson and his companion Eduardo Roel (Luis Guzmán) in their never ending search for the killer(s).

It becomes apparent that what is seen in these flashes are what will happen and also what Wilson wishes would happen. This insight into Wilson’s world leaves a cold feeling in viewers as they see how determined he is in his mission.

The editing aids in speeding up the slower pace and keeps the scenes fresh as the dialogue begins to become repetitious. The dialogue between characters varies and the editing consequently distracts viewers, while at the same time it forces audiences to pay even closer attention so that minor details will not be missed.

One should pay close attention to the body movements and stances of many of the characters; there are many silent moments in the film where the way a character walks says a whole lot more about them than their lines ever do. For instance, Terry Valentine’s (Peter Fonda) swagger and looseness of limbs, even though his rich and famous world is crashing down around him, speak volumes.

Though the acting in the film is excellent, it does not give any one actor a chance to stand out. This could also be caused by the fact that none of the characters are allowed to develop past a very superficial level.

The plot of The Limey is very fresh and has enough twists to force the audience to pay close attention to all of the characters involved.

Close attention was paid to every minute detail in the film, and what appeared to be errors in editing turn out to be pivotal points in the film The score of the film also plays with the audience’s emotion, as each scene’s mood is driven into the audience by the accompanying score.

For film viewers who enjoy the cinematography as much as acting, The Limey is a must see. Each shot provides beautiful scenery, from the cliffs of Big Sur to the Pacific Coast Highway.

The Limey is a treat for anyone who enjoys plot twists and movies that make you think. It opens
Oct. 29 at the Globe.