'Shadowboxer'
MPAA rating: R for strong graphic violence and sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use
A Teton Films release. Director Lee Daniels. Screenplay by William Lipz. Producers Daniels, Lisa Cortés, David Robinson, Brook Lenfest, Damon Dash. Director of photography M. David Mullen. Editors William Chang Suk Ping, Brian A. Kates. Running time: 1 hour, 32 minutes.
Shadowboxer" is one of those films that takes a while to get going, but as things slowly fall into place, it becomes a cohesive and enjoyable bit of cinema – even if it features far more of Cuba Gooding Jr.’s backside than I ever need to see in two lifetimes.
In quite the departure from his more recent lighthearted fare, most notably, the shudder-inducing "Boat Trip" and "Snow Dogs," Gooding rarely cracks a smile in this outing as he plays a hired assassin named Mikey who’s all about his business.
Mikey’s cold demeanor is only slightly tempered by his older partner Rose (Helen Mirren, "Raising Helen"
who’s questioning how she’s lived her life now that she’s dying from cancer.
Debuting Director Lee Daniels (co-producer "Monster’s Ball"
plays the exact nature of Rose and Mikey’s relationship very secretive through the first half-hour. Is Rose a mentor, step-mother or lover?
While the revelation is certainly unexpected, it’s so "out there" that it doesn’t add anything to the film outside of some obligatory shock value.
That withstanding, this is a film that works hard to earn its "R" rating with full frontal nudity, amputations and very graphic sex.
On a routine hit, things get a bit more complicated for the pair when Rose refuses to kill a mob boss’ pregnant wife Vickie (Vanessa Ferlito, "CSI: Miami"
just as her water breaks.
Seeing this as some way of atoning from her past, Rose takes Vickie and her child in, much to Mikey’s chagrin as he realizes the consequences if said mob boss (Stephen Dorff, "Alone in the Dark"
learns his wife and child are alive.
"Shadowboxer" has a similar vibe to "The Professional" beyond the same jobs of the leads, as Mikey, like "The Professional’s" Leon, finds something else to be invested in besides his work – love.
Although the cast might well be placed on an island of misfit actors (Stephen Dorff! Gooding! Macy Grey!) Daniels draws strong, believable performances from them in such that you’ll actually care what happens to the characters as opposed to just watching the action unfold on screen.
Of equal importance is the film’s score, which Daniels liberally incorporates throughout. At times, it’s a bit overwhelming and dominates the moment, but the mix of rap, jazz, country and rock works well in keeping the film lively.
The story, scripted by newcomer William Lipz, is told with a better perspective in regards to time and character growth. Mikey doesn’t instantly warm up to his new charges in a matter of weeks but months, making the movie appear to be based much more in reality than your standard Hollywood drama where everything seems to occur in a few hours.
Daniels said that he shot the movie on a very limited budget, but to his credit, the sets and lighting don’t look it. The cinematography isn’t going to dazzle you, but it doesn’t look like it was shot in a basement either, a claim some summer movies can’t boast this year.
"Shadowboxer" is a gritty, realistic take on the cycle of life and battling one’s demons and was a pleasant surprise. At the very least, if you loathed "Snow Dogs," check it out to develop a whole new appreciation for Gooding as an actor.
