This movie, starring Mel Gibson, is a dark
comedy/action flick about an American robber, Driver, who gets stuck inside of
a Mexican prison system that is highly corrupt. He seems a bit in culture shock
at first, but quickly adapts, and uses his quick mind to gain advantages.
He
meets a 10 year old boy within the walls of the prison (long story, and the
best explanation would be from watching the film itself) intent on exacting
revenge from the corrupt kingpin of sorts of the prison. Driver begins to feel
a certain kinship with the boy, and the two help one another out. Before long, Driver
meets the boy's mother, and we are to presume that there is a budding
relationship just waiting to grow. But fate intervenes, and things grow chaotic
and spin completely out of control.
Driver
is very riley, and he manages to do just enough of the right things to save his
own skin, time and again.
It
is actually a pretty funny movie at times, although again, in a very dark
sense. This is not exactly a family movie that you want to watch during
Christmas or large family get togethers. But if you like dark comedies with
considerable action, then this could be a good one.
These
days, it is hard to watch a Mel Gibson movie without being reminded about the
constant stream of strange news to come from the man. Ever since the release of
the infamous “Passion of the Christ”, Gibson has been mired in all sorts of
controversies, particularly anti-Semitic rantings. His behavior has gotten in
the way of what once was an A-list acting career. In this film, you are
reminded a bit at times of what he used to be, once upon a time, during the
days of Lethal Weapon and such. Back in the days when he was a dreamy
heartthrob for the ladies, and not a symbol of bigotry and even insanity, as he
is often seen as nowadays.
If
you can get past all of that, however, this is a decent movie. Mel Gibson is
pretty much the only recognizable star in the movie.
Driver
is a criminal, and this is clear throughout the movie. Yet, we are drawn to him
as a sympathetic character, as the one white, English-speaking American in a
sea of swarthy Spanish-speaking Mexicans. Maybe the odds are against him in
this context, so we naturally root for the underdog. I am a bit surprised,
however, that charges of racism were not brought out, considering Gibson's
controversial recent past, particularly in regards to racism. Yet, I heard
nothing about it. His character is actually quite likeable, if flawed, as well
as resourceful. It is a testament to both the directing and acting in the movie
that the viewer is pulled into sympathizing Driver, and then pulling for his
success. Remember, this is supposed to be a criminal who hardly stops to think
about the value of a human life. But this movie does work.
All in
all, this is an entertaining movie, done more or less in the modern sense.
Gibson does show some wit, although again, it is a lot darker than which his
characters showed back during his peak. Still, it is more or less a throwback
to earlier days for Mel Gibson, and as such, it was refreshing to see. I like
that version of Gibson much more than the one who seems to make a point of
reaching the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Again,
if you can get past the crazy Mel Gibson thing and focus on the character, this
is a pretty cool movie, very entertaining and with a good amount of action, to
boot. You likely won't feel that this was a waste of an hour and a half (the
approximate length of this movie), and in fact, you probably will be happy that
you gave it a shot. Recommended!
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