You've heard the story told several times before: nuclear fallout has turned the US into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The world is a violent place, made more violent by groups of raiders who have banded together for protection from other groups of raiders. Denzel Washington plays Eli - a lone-wolf character who is a total bad ass. What makes "The Book of Eli" (2010) different is he is in possession of a book. A book that Gary Oldman's Carnegie wants. A book that will change the wasteland forever - whether good or bad will be determined by who gets their hands on it.
Denzel Washington, as he usually is, is amazing. The first several minutes of this movie is a silent montage of sorts, where we are introduced to Eli. Without him speaking a word and with no one else around, we know he is a strong man with a strong will. When he meets his first person on the road a few moments later, he recognizes the helpless woman for being bait for a trap before he even approaches her. A fight scene follows, done completely with silhouettes. And it looks fantastic.
Gary Oldman nails it, too (Have you ever noticed that he never looks the same in two movies?). He slips into the charismatic villain role so easily, that its amazing he can play good characters as well. He does not disappoint here. And Mila Kunis is superb. Yesterday we discussed "Black Swan" and how Kunis was naturally seductive and strong. She is not in "The Book of Eli". Kunis' Solara and her mother (Claudia, played by Jennifer Beals) have basically been kept as slaves to Carnegie. She is weak and knows nothing of the wasteland, having been privileged to live in a settlement most of her life. As the movie progresses, she learns from Eli and becomes strong much in the way Eli is.
Even the supporting cast is great. Dumbledore and Madam Maxime from the world of Harry Potter play a pair of cannibal "rednecks" (if you can say they really exist still). Ray Stevenson (who is in a lot of things and I've never noticed! He even played Volstagg!) is Carnegie's right-hand man who's sole ambition is to "own" Solara. Malcolm McDowell and Tom Waits both appear.
Now this would be a pretty poor review of the movie if I did not mention the strong religious connections it has. In interest of full disclosure, I am very much an atheist, but in no way does that lessen my opinion on this movie. The Book which Eli carries with him is a leather-bound copy of the Christian Bible. Eli recites many passages throughout the movie. During their first violent confrontation, Carnegie says to Eli "I grew up with that book, I know its power." When one of his men calls it "a fuckin' book", Carnegie loses it and proclaims "IT'S NOT A FUCKIN' BOOK! IT'S A WEAPON! A weapon aimed right at the hearts and minds of the weak and the desperate. It will give us control of them. If we want to rule more than one small, fuckin' town, we have to have it. People will come from all over, they'll do exactly what I tell 'em if the words are from the book. It's happened before and it'll happen again. All we need is that book." Eli wants to use the book for good, bring it out West where it can be safe. Carnegie wants it for himself to use it to control others. But Eli is determined, and faith is driving him forward; faith protects him. In the end, faith is the driving force behind everyone's actions, and in the end gives Claudia the strength to defy Carnegie for the first time. It's very powerful.
There is a large piece of plot that I don't want to give away in this movie. It is given away at the end, and when it's revealed, you're incredibly surprised. Upon a second viewing, knowing the reveal makes the movie interesting. You're able to recognize the a bunch of parts where it's actually pointed out, but done so in a subtle way.
For whatever reason, "The Book of Eli" did not get a lot of attention or acclaim. I have no idea why that is. This movie is fantastic. Not "watch once a week" fantastic, but definitely an enjoyable movie that I think everyone can enjoy. The acting is tremendous. The story is enjoyable. The action sequences are well done. I highly recommend a viewing of this one.
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