Shadowboxer
By John Sheridan, Blockbuster.co.uk
This thriller starring Cuba Gooding Jr and Helen Mirren was available to rent at BLOCKBUSTER® a month before it was available to rent or buy anywhere else.
“Feeling protected is very seductive”
When professional assassin Rose (Helen Mirren) is diagnosed with terminal cancer, she decides to carry on working with her partner and lover Mikey (Cuba Gooding Jr.). When on one routine assignment, Rose has second thoughts when she discovers that their target - the wife of a gangster (Stephen Dorff), is pregnant. Rose and Mikey spare the woman’s life and hide her away, raising the child in seclusion. But the past has a way of catching up with people.
“It’s always an adventure with Rose”
Shadowboxer is a cool movie; a cross between
Pulp Fiction,
Leon and
Bully. Stylish, brutal and sexually charged. Coming from the producer of the controversial
Monster’s Ball and
The Woodsman, it comes as no surprise that
Lee Daniels directoral debut has an element of controversy to it. The relationship between Rose and Mikey being the most disturbing given that Mikey is Rose’s partner, lover and (ahem) stepson. There is also quite a bit of full frontal nudity and violence that got past the censors. None of this detract from the main plot of the two leads sparing a woman and then looking after her and her baby.
Although our two leads are vile assassins, killing people for money; Daniels uses clever cinematography to contrast the calm, tranquil scenes featuring Helen Mirren and Cuba Gooding Jr. with the grey and gritty scenes featuring the film’s villain Stephen Dorff.
Luc Besson did a similar thing in his film Leon, and this works well in getting the audience on the side of our ‘good’ assassins (if there is such a thing).
“You don’t have to make me promise, I always do whatever you say Rose”
Helen Mirren puts in yet another perfect performance as Rose, a woman who has ended so many lives, now wishes to save the lives of two innocents. Cuba Gooding Jr. puts in his best performance since
Men Of Honour and hopefully this film is a sign that our ‘
Boat Trip’ and ‘
Rat Race’ star is back on form doing the character pieces that he is so good at. The supporting cast members include R&B megastar
Macy Gray in a scene stealing performance,
Joseph Gordon-Levitt (one of the aliens from
Third Rock From The Sun) as a corrupt young doctor and
Mo’Nique as his rather large boned girlfriend.
The story initially focuses on Rose but then moves Mikey to the forfront. When Rose decides that the two of them will be saving the life of the pregnant wife (played magnificently by
Vanessa Ferlito -
CSI: New York); Mikey tries to change her mind and wants them to do the job for which they have been paid. Over time, Mikey begins to see the child as his own, this begins to effect his work (he finds it harder to kill people); and when the mob eventually find out (as they always do in these movies), he risks his life to save them… Leon-style.
All in all Shadowboxer is a great first film from director Lee Daniels. A hard hitting movie with some real edge of your seat moments, this will keep you watching until the very end. Add to your list now.
Also Try:
Leon
Road To Perdition
Grosse Pointe Blank