Redbelt

David Mamet has become one of the great filmmakers of the last few decades. His latest film, Redbelt, is no exception.

The great storyteller gives us a great heroic story both intelligent and exciting. Many of his other films (e.g. Heist, House of Games, and State and Main)involve a wonderful writerly interweaving of subplots climaxing insurprises and satisfying resolutions. One gets the sense that Mametdoes much research in creating intelligent yet entertainingly dramaticdialogue. In this film, he thickens the plot until we are enervated andthen quickly and movingly reinvigorates us with a rousing, classicallyheroical finale, probably the greatest of any fight film I have everseen. (And I am not one for superlatives.)

 Chiwetel Ejioforplays the lead role of Mike Terry, a Brazilian jiujitsu master andinstructor who finds himself in a series of trials, some chance, mostcaused by the greed of those around him. He remains steadfast as anhonorable character despite those who conspire and exploit him. Thingsworsen until he is forced to compete in competition, an act which initself is against his principles. Minutes before going into the ring,he becomes aware of the corruption of the event and once again does the“right” thing. This leads to a quick succession of events that leavesthe heart pounding with excitement in the final struggle. The ending isexpected but by no means uninteresting, a true challenge in a fightfilm.

The film also features Tim Allen in a refreshinglyuncomedic role and a bang-up performance by Ricky Jay (who, by the way,is a sleight-of-hand expert who is in the Guinness Book of World Recordsfor throwing a playing card 190 feet at 90 miles per hour).Additionally, actual mixed martial arts fighters Randy Couture andEnson Inoue appear in the film, as well as Brazilian jiujitsu championJean Jacque Machado and boxer Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini.