Rama’s SCREEN

This a drama movie, not your typical martial art fight flicks, this is for those of us who are familiar with screenwriter/playwright David Mamet’s works. REDBELT delivers a character driven plot that’s original, engaging and asking us to know the true martial art way that’s not about showing off or kicking somebody with an intent on revenge or money. This is a great movie with excellent performances firing from… every cylinder and demands our attention. If there’s one movie this year that’s Oscar worthy, it’s REDBELT

Mike Terry is a Jiu-Jitsu teacher in West Los Angeles who has avoided the prize fighting circuit, choosing instead to pursue an honorable life by operating a self-defense studio with a samurai’s code. His wife however is frustrated in the fact that they can barely afford anything. A cop friend is in marriage trouble but would never disgrace and dishonor the academy. A movie star comes along and promises the world but what Mike Terry gets are betrayal and lies after lies.

Chiwetel Ejiofor is an excellent actor, his performance in this one is captivating. He’s perfect for the part as a character who chooses not to be corrupted by the dirty games of competition and business.
Chiwetel, in my opinion, should’ve been nominated last year for his role in Talk To Me.

There’s a lot of Brazil factor in this movie. My Brazilian friends ought to watch it because they’d understand every Portuguese word spoken by the Brazilian actors.
David Mamet (Glengarry Glenn Ross) manages to round up a brilliant ensemble cast who successfully portray the ugly side of human when greed, cheat and desperation get the better of us.

I give credit to David Mamet’s writing. He knows to how to make things more complicated than they already are. In a world where the ones with money have the last say, one honest man can’t find a decent ground to stand on because he’s being attacked emotionally and financially one after another.
Just when you think things could not get any worse, it they get worse.
His ultimate decision in choose whether to continue believing in his principles, which has gotten him nothing but tragedy… or enter a world that would help him pay bills but at the same time would change him into something he’s not.

In any kind trouble that you’ve found yourself in, David Mamet wants to remind us that… there’s always an escape.

* Place the cursor on the image below to check my grade for this film