The casting’s the thing in the artistically disappointing American film debut of Danish director Niels Arden Oplev, better known as the man behind the original film, “Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.”
I wonder why FilmDistrict, the distributor, had decided on review embargo until this evening (It opens tomorrow, Friday). It certainly no worse than the action thriller that have opened theatrically thus far.
Reteaming with the star of that film, the vastly talented and courageous actress Noomi Rapace, he has chosen a rather familiar neo-noir crime thriller, set in New York (though it could have been placed in any major city, both in Europe and America).
The appealing international cast, which is easily the film’s best asset, includes Colin Farrell, Terrence Howard, Noomi Rapace, Isabelle Huppert (old and mature enough to play Rapace’s mother. And in supporting roles Armand Assante
Neither a satisfying character-driven nor an engaging plot-oriented caper, Dead Man Down suffers from haphazard, overly familiar narrative, and preposterous dialogue credited to J.H. Wyman (who also penned the lousy “The Mexican”).
Farrell, at his most physically handsome, plays Victor, a brooding enforcer, bent on revenge after the ruthless killing of his wife and young daughter.
However, his activities are observed by the equally enigmatic Beatrice (Rapace), a neighbor living across from his apartment, with her own personal cause for retribution.
The Odd couple: Beatrice is both physically and mentally bruised. Her face is scarred after being hit by a drunken driver, Lo and behold, in a bizarre, senseless turn of events,Victor Beatrice join forces.
Source:
http://www.emanuellevy.com/review/dead-man-down/