[.ca] Fracture (Widescreen)

Double Jeopardy for Dummies:
This is a thriller which unfortunately goes over territory that has already been explored many times. With unlikeable characters and unnecessary plot devices, the performances by Hopkins and Gosling almost manage to rescue the tepid plot, with the former offering his best Lecter-type creepiness, minus the fava beans and Chianti. Drawing inspiration once again from The Beatles, I summarize the story below, hopefully for your entertainment. (To the tune of Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles) I look at all the guilty people I look at all the guilty people Anthony Hopkins follows his wife to the place where she's cheating again Looks with disdain Home in the hallway, holding a gun that he points at a spot on her head He wants her dead All these guilty people Where do they all come from? All these guilty people Where do they all belong? Now Ryan Gosling picks up the case in a rush and he thinks he can win It draws him in Look at him cringing. Damning the day that he failed cause he failed to prepare Caught in the glare All the guilty people Where do they all come from? All the guilty people Where do they all belong? I look at all the guilty people I look at all the guilty people Anthony Hopkins studies the law and plays mind games in front of the Judge Gives her a nudge Watch Ryan Gosling wiping his brow as he sees that his tight case is blown His career's flown All the guilty people Where do they all come from? All the guilty people Where do they all belong? (Extra verses) Anthony Hopkins hopes that his wife will not wake from the damage within What's one more sin? Look at him gloating, smiling inside as they pull out that cord from the wall He's got some gall All the guilty people Where do they all come from? All the guilty people Where do they all belong? See Ryan Gosling pray for the life of a woman that he's never known All on his own Look at him trying, forcing the man to admit to the bad things he's done Where is the gun? All the guilty people Where do they all come from? All the guilty people Where do they all belong? I look at all the guilty people I look at all the guilty people It's not the best movie of Anthony Hopkins' career, but definitely worth a rental fee if you're into legal thrillers. Rated: 3.5 stars Amanda Richards

check out Primal Fear by the same director:
i think this was billed as a legal thriller.trouble is,it's not really thrilling.it sort of plods along to the inevitable end.plus,in my opinion,Anthony Hopkins(the bad guy),appears to be doing a lighter variation of Hannibal Lector.i also felt Ryan Gosling,as the main good guy,was a bit too young for the character he portrayed.but there are some bright spots in the movie.one of them is David Strathairn,who i feel is a very underrated actor and not utilized enough.and i thought the ending was a refreshing change from most movies of the genre.anyway,the movie wasn't boring enough to quit watching,but before the end credits had rolled,i had only become half interested.Gregory Hoblit directed this movie,and he also directed Primal Fear,which in my mind is a much superior thriller.you might want to check it out.as for Fracture,i give it a 3/5

Who done it? Who cares?:
As the story opens, wealthy Ted Crawford (Anthony Hopkins) discovers his wife is having an affair and shoots her. Enter the police, led by a detective who just happens to be his Mrs. Crawford's lover. Crawford confesses to the shooting and it looks like an open and shut case, or so thinks young, ambitious Deputy District Attorney Willy Beachum (Ryan Gosling), who's leaving the department soon for a cushy job with a prestigious law firm. He agrees to take the Crawford case assuming it will be 1-2-3-guilty, but Crawford pleads not guilty, wants to defend himself, and, oh yes, where's the gun? This movie is beautifully photographed in film noir shadows and dim lighting and looks great. The problem is the script that calls for such unremittingly monotonous and deadpan performances that when it's over, it's just an overwhelming downer. I didn't care about any of the characters and was disappointed that the wonderful Anthony Hopkins had so little screen time. It's all about Ryan Gosling's cocky, social-climbing character. (He's really too young for the part and it should have been played by Brad Pitt.) Both Gosling and Hopkins go through the whole movie with poker-faces and the I'm-so-much-smarter-than-you smugness wears thin early on. In place of intense emotions, we get a subdued face-off between two equal adversaries (neither of whom is likeable) and even a brief romance is played down and devoid of warmth. It's an OK movie that held my interest, but left me wishing there were more of an emotional connection between the characters.