Directed By: Joseph Rueben
Written By: Wesley Strick & Bruce Robinson
Based on the original Screenplay FORCE MAJEURE by: Pierre Jolivet & O. Schatzky Cinematography By: Reynaldo Villalobos
Editor: Craig McKay & Andrew Mondshein
Cast: Vince Vaughn, Jada Pinkett Smith, Anne Heche, Joaquin Phoenix, David Conrad, Vera Farminga, Nick Sandow, David Zayas, Richard Yang, Elizabeth Rodriguez
Three friends share an exciting vacation in Malaysia, full of fun, drinks, women and hash. When the vacation is over, each have dreams of continuing their lives, and they all go their separate ways. One of them remains on the tropical paradise to fulfill a dream of working with apes for research. Two years later, a lawyer comes to New York and hunts down the other two friends to give some sad news. A few days after they left the island, police raided their camp and found amazingly large quantities of hash left about. Phoenix was still residing there, so he had to take the blame. He is set to be put to death in 8 days, and the only way the charges can be decreased is if the two friends come back to paradise and take their share of the responsibilty. If they do, they both will spend three years in prison. If only one does, he will spend six years behind bars.
This film is presented as a thriller. When it really seems to be more of a moralistic story about taking responsibility. So in other words more of a drama.
It seemed at first like this was going to be more of an ensemble tale and taking into account various characters points of view on the situation and the personal triumphs they stand to lose if they do the right thing. Eventually Vince Vaughn’s character takes center stage. Luckily he is surrounded by strong performances. Not to mention his rather strong dramatic lead performance.
Anne Heche gives a vulnerable performance. Especially what her character is willing to do. It really is a star turn that takes her character through the gamut of emotions. Vince Vaughn is perfectly fine as the leading man though surpringly for a person going through the emotional ringer and trying to be somewhat moral. he seems to more underplay his role. So that Anne Heche can't help but run right over him as the more emotional one and shockingly isn't annoying.
The twists the film takes at different points are kind of predictable but necessary.
The film presents it’s characters as realistic not completely evil nor completely innocent. The characters make decisions that seem realistic and helps the movie be identifiable and not like a complete production. One wishes then romance involved in the film had less to do with love and more about sex, seduction and passion. Using it purely for what it was initially meant to be before it seems feelings get involved. Maybe trying to show a reverse of the events how something sincere can blossom from something superficial.
This seems to be a film that would have worked better purely as a drama but every once in a while introduces a thriller quotient that really isn’t needed as well as keeping everything kind of glossy. That brings up the energy and puts the audience on edge. Yet it feels like an unneeded cheap ploy but luckily doesn’t derail the film.
There are some missed opportunities when it comes to the situations and drama. Though there is a nice contrast between the characters. Jada Pinkett’s character feels uneeded and more like a plot point introduced late in the films development.
The films subject matter is bleak and depressing but it leaves you with a bit of hope. It’s a brave ending that feels like a bit of a compromise between intention and order. But still risky enough that it doesn’t feel typical.
This is like a Hollywood formula film flirting with the dark side of a typical indie film on foreign soil. As the film is underrated more it seems for the time when it was released. As it seems the film might have made more an impact and been talked about if it had been made more in the 1980’s or 70’s as a political piece with a character study underneath. Which for a studio film is kind of admirable.
Though eventually it feels too slick and idealistic In direction rather than a true emotional grind the audience could more connect and identify with. It still is a nice try.
A very feel bad film though very polished looking film. That tries to be modern and more of the moment emotionally though seems to have more in common material wise with old melodramas of yesteryear
David Conrad is the other man in the trio of friends but he makes no impression here and was a replacement for Cuba Gooding Jr. who turned down the role and it’s easy to see why it is a necessary role but ends up almost thankless.
There is enough downtrodden tragedy that has much balance then the similar yet different Claire Danes starring film BROKEDOWN PALACE.
The film does feel overblown at times. Could easily put it away as melodrama surprised it hasn’t been talked about more over the years as it seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle. Even when it came out not seems overlooked and slipped through the cracks. It also doesn’t help it is an American remake of a French film
This isn’t the Vince Vaughn, Joaquin Phoenix reunion I was hoping for after the movie CLAY PIGEONS.
Grade: C+
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