Book Of Eli
Denzel Washington has always carried a certain aura about him throughout his career, a weight that has separated him from most other mainstream actors and certainly those of his African-American brethren, including the cocky stylings of Will Smith, the pretentious self-importance of Morgan Freeman, or any number of rappers turned actors. This 2010 release features themes that in some way might seem to be offensive to many in secular Hollywood, and seeing Washingtonâs name on here as a Producer makes one wonder if he didnât use his considerable clout in order to get it made. Denzel plays a drifter wandering through America 30 years after an all-out nuclear war has reduced it to ruins. He carries with him a book that in actuality is the last known existing Bible, en route to a destination known only to him. He stops in a semi-thriving shantytown and encounters the affluent warlord who runs the place, played by Gary Oldman. Turns out Oldman is desperately trying to find a Bible of his own, knowing that the words and ideas contained therein will enable him to be seen as a prophet and expand his power and influence over the region, speaking verses that most people still living in the wasteland have never heard before. Thus unfolds a story both challenging and enlightening, as the viewer tries to decipher whether the filmmakers are sincere in their beliefs that true Christian teachings will bring mankind back from the brink, or merely paying it lip service. The two leads certainly bring their A-game though, as Washington plays a man determined to finish his quest on the sheer power of faith alone, even as it turns out that he is quite handy with a machete and can take on scores of enemies at once with great ease, while Oldman plays the warlord as a man of great intelligence but no one to share it with (literacy is a rarity in this world), but just knowing if he can obtain the book of God he can twist its words and meanings to his own selfish ends. The film suffers from a bit of an uneven pace, as the first act seems deliriously slow showing Washington as he travels across the landscape, then picks up quite a bit once he arrives at the town and first encounters Oldman and his men, then surprisingly slows down again once he escapes the town and Oldman takes off in hot pursuit. The viewer soon develops a need to know more backstory, but what little we get is that the Bible was in some way blamed for the events leading to the war itself and that all copies were burned afterwards, thus making Denzelâs one copy extremely valuable, plus the fact that Denzel himself has seemingly been âtouched by Godâ and tasked with protecting the book and finishing his journey at all costs on the notion that the Almighty will protect him along the way. It makes for a good metaphor on both the positive and negative aspects of religion, and the direction by Albert and Allen Hughes certainly sucks one into the bleak atmosphere the story presents. In other roles, we have Mila Kunis sadly miscast as the waiflike girl who joins Denzel on his quest after he leaves the town, as while she definitely brings a certain cuteness to the role, she unfortunately lacks the depth and soulfulness that one would think a pretty girl whoâs never had flowers given to her by a boy or gone to see the latest chick flick would certainly have, seeming out of place with the wrong mindset and attitude. On the other hand, we have Jennifer Beals nicely reappearing in a mainstream film as her blind mother who is âownedâ by Oldman, and that classic beautiful smile sheâs always possessed shines through despite her tragic circumstances. The film certainly doesnât skimp on the violence and fight scenes though, and the rough, gritty feel is enhanced by the dirty yet effective cinematography in a world where there is literally no more soap for anyone to use. Overall though, one must again ask, is the devotion to Christian faith in this film genuine? The answer would appear to be a little of both, with the message seeming to be that the only thing that can redeem a post-apocalyptic world are the teachings of God Himself, and for that kind of audacious concept to come out of a Hollywood movie alone is something to be commendedâŚ
8/10