A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014)
Certified: 15
Duration: 113 minutes
Directed by: Scott Frank
Starring: Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, Sebastian Roché, Whitney Able, Stephanie Andujar, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, David Harbour, Eric Nelsen, Brian ‘Astro’ Bradley
KRS Releasing Ltd
Lawrence Block is one of the most prolific and successful American crime writers with a series of novels revolving around private investigator Matthew Scudder being one of the most enduring. Not counting the short stories, about 17 novels have been written featuring this character.
A Walk Among the Tombstones is an adaptation of the 1992 book of the same name. The same character has previously been played by Jeff Bridges in the 1986 film adaptation of the novel 8 Million Ways To Die. This time Matthew Scudder is played by Liam Neeson and the result is a very convincing and atmospheric, making this film a gripping crime thriller.
Scudder is a private investigator who had once been a policeman and an alcoholic. He is well known in the underworld scene and so drug dealer Kenny (Dan Stevens) wants to hire him as he has been targeted by two dangerous men, Ray and Albert (David Harbour and Adam David Thompson). His wife was kidnapped and although he paid the ransom money, she still ended up dead. When Matthew hears the recording of her being tortured, he accepts the job.
He starts tracking the kidnappers and this leads him to James Loogan (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) who takes care of the cemetery and knows the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, TJ (Brian ‘Astro’ Bradley), a homeless teenager, gets attached to Matthew and starts to help him as a sort of unofficial assistant. Matthew then discovers that the kidnappers had already taken another girl, the girlfriend of another drug dealer.
The film also has plenty of atmosphere as director Scott Frank brings to the fore the gritty arena in which Scudder operates
They have lately also kidnapped Lucia (Danielle Rose Russell), the teenager daughter of another drug dealer, Yuri Landau (Sebastian Roché). This marks the start of a race for Matthew as he tries to find the kidnappers and save Lucia from a horrifying death.
Neeson embodies well the character of Scudder and fits well into the bill of a man who is not afraid to get his hands dirty and deal with unsavoury characters to find the truth.
The actor sheds his Taken image and brings a Scudder that dominates and throttles forward the movie. He gives the character the necessary gravitas and the way he floats through the film with his ice-cold stare provides a trademark for the film which embodies spirit and determination.
A Walk Among the Tombstones has given Neeson a juicy role, restoring his position as the actor of choice when justice needs to be meted out. Fans of the actor and anyone who wants to see a riveting crime drama will like this picture.
The film also has plenty of atmosphere as director Scott Frank brings to the fore the gritty arena in which Scudder operates.