Our daughter Danielle came to us over the weekend asking us, pleading actually, to watch the movie "Law Abiding Citizen." She actually saw this movie in school, otherwise I am not sure she would have know about it. Either way, she had been talking about it for some time; with it coming to a head this past weekend. With the rainy nature of our weekend, watching a movie together as a family on a Sunday, was a great suggestion.
With the three of us (Lauren was not interested) comfortably arranged in the living room, we pressed play. One thing to note before we began the movie: Danielle was truly excited we were watching a movie that she suggested; not only because it was her choice, but mainly because it was a type of movie she may not have wanted to watch to begin with.
Very simply the movie is about a man and his attempt to speak out about the warped approach the people in our justice system seek to "justice" or to "do their job." The main character, Clyde Shelton's home is entered by two men who stab and beat him, and kill his wife and child. Actually his wife is raped in front of his eyes; he is unable to help her out.
When it is time to administer justice, the prosecuting attorney seeks to make sure the two people who have been apprehended serve some type of justice. But Mr. Shelton is disappointed and actually disgusted when he is asked to accept a pre-trial deal to ensure the criminals face some type of justice. So Mr. Shelton deliberately plans our his response to this injustice system. And not only is it his actions, but also his deeds that captivate you. I found myself asking, "what is his goal?" and "what will he be doing next?" throughout the movie. I could not see his end goal.
When I watch movies, I try not to predict all of the events coming up; my goal is to enjoy it and allow things to unfold. So as the ending came, I was totally surprised. It had to end the way it did.
Anyway, it is a movie I would watch again and would recommend--only to those who can stand some gore and violence. Thanks Danielle for a good suggestion.
It is a shame the way our justice system responds to some crimes. At times it seems like the villian ends up being the victim. Movies like this and tv shows like law and order make you wonder about what really happens in the "law" and just how "just" the laws are.
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