French
filmmaker Rachid Bouchareb established himself as an international success with
his films about historical violence, including 2006’s WWII drama, Days of Glory, and Outside the Law, a drama from 2010 based on the Algerian struggle
for independence following that war. He also made a film in London
Adapted from a
40-year-old French film, Two Men in Town makes
appropriate adjustments to relevantly integrate discussion of American
immigration issues, though any commentary on the topic is quickly forsaken for
character drama. This would not be so disappointing if the screenplay from
Olivier Lorelle, Yasmina Khadra and Bouchareb provided these characters more
opportunity for development, but the minimalism within the plot eventually
deteriorates any reason to care, regardless of how effective many of the cast
members are. Forest Whitaker has the difficult job of carrying the film, with
the help of a stellar supporting cast, filling in the gaps of the screenplay
with dedicated performances.
Whitaker stars
as William Garnett, an ex-con who finishes a lengthy prison sentence for
murdering a deputy Sheriff with the hopes of starting his life over. Recently
converted to the Muslim faith, Garnett gets an ordinary job working on a ranch,
meets a local woman (Dolores Heredia), and has hopes of settling down. This
simple lifestyle is quickly disrupted by the events of Garnett’s past, from an
unforgiving town sheriff (Harvey Keitel) to a former criminal accomplice (Luis
Guzman) insistent upon his return to a life of crime.
The one
relationship connected to Garnett’s life of crime which promises to help his
rehabilitation comes in the form of his fair parole officer (Brenda Blethyn).
The casting of this role is spectacular, with Blethyn easily holding her own
amongst the men in this violent world. There has been a great deal of
discussion about the representation of women in film recently, and this is
exactly the type of role that counters the typical Hollywood tendency to only
use older actresses in passive mother-figure roles. If only there was somewhere
for the narrative to take these characters, Two
Men in Town would have been a film to praise simply for the dynamic between
Whitaker and Blethyn. Ellen Burstyn also has a spectacular stand-alone scene as
Garnett’s mother, though it barely fits with the plot of the rest of the film.
Her character is so disconnected from the rest of the plot that the only name
she is given within the credits is “Garnett’s Mother.”
The Blu-ray
offers a high definition presentation, but it does little for the low budget
quality of the film. Included in the extras is a brief featurette with
Bouchareb, who describes his filmmaking methods and inspirations. Also included
are theatrical TV spots.
Entertainment Value:
5.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 6.5/10
Historical
Significance: 5/10
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