Holy Redbelt!

Mamet has done it again!

Reading this description of David Mamet’s Redbelt (2008), you might not think much of it. Sounds almost like a dozen or so decent or deplorable action flicks from the 90s, a la Steven Segal or Jean-Claude Van Damme. But once again, a talented writer/director like Mamet proves any concept can be elevated to the status of true art, with a little effort, even this Kung Fu-Action-Noir! This film was phenomenal.

The plot, masterfully set up, doesn’t really click until halfway through the movie, but that’s okay, because there’s plenty of meat, plenty of development, leading up to it. By the end everything comes together, even the most mundane of elements that you took for granted at first glance.

The script is a masterwork, culminating in a finale that has wrapped so much up into it, a payoff of character development, plot, theme, everything. Exploring tradition vs. exploitation, honor vs. greed – the fight is literally taken out of the ring, which looms in the background, turning even the concept and genre conventions on their head.

The acting is undeniably good, the characters strong, yet vulnerable, challenging, engaging. Chiwetel Ejiofor is an obvious standout, expertly bringing to life the master with a moral compass, so much in conflict with the modern world that surrounds him.

Everything flows so simply, yet there’s so much underneath. This is the type of film that should get a lot more attention than it does. One of Mamet’s finest. This is one of my favorite kung fu flicks (at its essence) since Enter the Dragon, one of the better neo-noirs I've seen in a while. If you haven’t seen Redbelt, you’re missing out!