Law Abiding Citizen Resides In Se7en's Shadows

Unlike many movies before it, Law Abiding Citizen focuses on a character who is already imprisoned when he performs most of his crimes, and the intriguing methods he employs.

Gerard Butler plays Clyde, a loving husband and father who is beaten by two criminals one night. They leave him on the floor, bleeding heavily, causing him to black in and out of consciousness. For the brief time he is conscious, he watches a criminal savagely rape and murder his wife. Then another kills his infant daughter. In an attempt to pursue justice, Clyde hires an attorney named Nick (Jamie Foxx).

Nick fears both criminals could walk free. Believing that some justice is better than none, he accepts a plea where one criminal cops the death penalty and the other completes a small prison sentence. Although Clyde witnessed both criminals, he cannot understand how the supposed justice system would let such an obvious crime go unpunished.

Featuring many explosions and some stunning visual aesthetics, action is further delivered through suspense and mystery. After Clyde is imprisoned for his first crime, he continues to exact revenge and discipline while he is behind bars. The extraordinary efforts employed and the absence of information engages audiences, as they actively look for clues and hints explaining Clyde’s methods. Is he doing this completely on his own? Or is someone helping him? And better yet, who could it be?

The rest of the action is dispensed through the ongoing debate between Nick and Clyde, concerning the validity of the legal system and its ability to enact justice in an unjust world. Although this theological debate is intriguing, and is purported under the guise of two interesting characters, it hides behind exploding cars and breathtaking visual effects. As a result, what should be the driving force in this movie is deemed a subplot, much to the film’s detriment.

Between the philosophical debate and intense action scenes, audiences will find moments of humour. Even though this is a dramatic flick, the brief moments that cause audiences to giggle and laugh come very naturally. It’s the combination of these elements—humour, action and psychological insight—that makes Law Abiding Citizen a worthy watch. It’s just a shame that it is lacking what it needs to be remembered.

By Tony Ibrahim

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