Law Abiding Citizen: Morality Tale or Justified Vengeance?

When a father’s pursuit of justice turns into a campaign of vengeance, it raises the question: is he the villain or a wronged man seeking the justice he was denied? Law Abiding Citizen presents a gripping, darkly captivating narrative centered around Clyde Shelton, a man who takes justice into his own hands after the legal system fails him. The film offers an intriguing exploration of justice, morality, and the human spirit's limits when pushed to its breaking point.

Image by Wikipedia

Refreshing Storyline: A Father's Relentless Quest for Justice

At its core, Law Abiding Citizen tells a refreshing story of a father, Clyde Shelton, who will do anything to avenge his family. After witnessing the brutal murder of his wife and daughter, Clyde is devastated when the justice system fails him, and ultimately, his family. The murderer cuts a deal with the prosecutor, Nick Rice, and receives a mere five years in prison. 

The film explores Clyde's transformation from a grieving father into a calculated avenger, setting up an intense cat-and-mouse game between him and Nick. As Clyde systematically dismantles those responsible for the injustice, the audience is left to themselves to ponder "is this justice or vengeance", and, when is enough enough.

Image by Clip Villains

More Than Meets the Eye: Characters and Depth

As the story progresses, Clyde evolves into a mastermind, revealing layers of intelligence and cunning. His meticulous planning and execution of revenge showcase a deep understanding of human nature and a chilling resolve that no one, including the justice system, fully comprehends.

Although the film appears to be about Nick's journey as an attorney upholding the law, Clyde's character dominates the narrative. As a father myself, I find it impossible not to understand Clyde's perspective. I can't condone his actions, but I do understand them.

Nick, portrayed by Jamie Foxx, is the typical by-the-book prosecutor, who is begins content with his career achievements. His arc takes him from complacency to a sense of change as he faces someone who challenges his beliefs about justice. However, Nick’s journey feels secondary to Clyde’s overarching narrative, leaving one to wonder if Clyde is truly the main character.

Image by Variety

Intelligent but Flawed: Script and Execution

The film is a masterclass in tension-building, with a script that keeps the audience engaged through unexpected twists and turns. The writers did a fantastic job creating a compelling narrative where the villain often feels like the hero, and the hero struggles to catch up.

However, as the movie races toward its climax, it falls into a common trap: presenting Clyde, a character portrayed as a genius, making stupid mistakes. Clyde's flawless execution of his plans throughout the film contrasts sharply with his final blunder — not placing a camera in the room under the mayor's meeting space, where he plants a bomb. A bomb that is also not hidden at all and is easily found from across the giant room. This oversight feels out of character for someone who has spent a decade preparing for revenge.

The film tries to justify this lapse as a "moment of human error," but it detracts from Clyde's previously demonstrated genius. It almost feels like a forced way to give Nick the upper hand, which doesn’t align with the film’s established narrative.

Image by Screen Rant

Realism vs. Hollywood: The Ending’s Impact

The film’s ending offers a morality tale where the supposed villain gets his justice for what he has done to all these "innocent" people. "Innocent" because there are many times in the movie that judges, DA's cops, etc. show that they have no issue breaking the law themselves when it affects their careers or lives. In essence, does that make any of them better than Clyde? Sure, they don't kill innocent people...directly. How many people have they falsely imprisoner or sent to the death chamber? I understand that's not what the movie was attempting to portray, but none-the-less, it's right there. 

Clyde's failure and subsequent death serve as a nod to the conventional storytelling trope where evil cannot triumph over good. Yet it left me yearning for an alternate ending where Clyde's cunning is acknowledged with one final twist. A small part of me hoped for an explosion after the credits, suggesting that Clyde, despite being "outsmarted", had the last laugh.

Image by Medium

Outstanding Performances: Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx Shine

Gerard Butler delivers an out-of-the-norm performance as Clyde; typically known for playing heroic roles, Butler showcases his versatility by diving into the mind of a calculated killer. His portrayal of Clyde makes it hard not to sympathize with his plight, even when his actions cross moral boundaries.

Jamie Foxx, as Nick Rice, brings a balanced performance that serves as a counterpoint to Butler's almost insanity. While his role as the upstanding attorney is well-executed, the character doesn’t quite capture the audience's attention as Clyde does. Foxx did what he could with the script he was given. His parts aren't inherently bad, but I really think his part of the script lacked some gusto. His character's motivations just seemed shallow at best. We see that he cares about his family, but I think it was meant that Nick was supposed to care as much about his family as Clyde did for his. And this is just never truly portrayed. Nick's caring comes off rather flat.

Image by IMDb

Final Thoughts: A Gripping Thriller with a Few Missteps

Law Abiding Citizen delivers a compelling thriller that explores themes of justice, revenge, and morality. While it stumbles in its final act, the film remains an engaging watch thanks to its well-developed characters and intense storyline. It raises questions about the nature of justice and how far one would go to right a wrong. How far would you go?

With strong performances from Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx, the film provides a thrilling experience that resonated with me. While the ending might not satisfy everyone, the journey there is undoubtedly worth the watch. Overall Rating: 7 out of 10.

Pros:

• Refreshing storyline centered around a father's quest for vengeance.
• Strong character development that adds depth to the narrative.
• Stellar performances from Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx.
• Well-written script with engaging dialogue and tension.

Cons:

• Final act lacks the intelligence and believability of the rest of the film.
• Nick’s character feels secondary to Clyde's more compelling arc.
• Ending feels rushed, leaving some plot points unresolved.
• Clyde's mistake contradicts his established genius, undermining his character's consistency.