Righteous Kill, Starring Pacino and DeNiro
With Brian Dennehy and Carla Gugino; Directed by Jon Avnet
Sep 15, 2008
"Righteous Kill" is a film about duality. The two main characters, Rooster (Al Pacino) and Turk (Robert DeNiro) are both old cops who shoot with the same proficiency, speak the same pseudo-Mametian dialogue, and have the same Neanderthalish attitudes towards both women and criminals. (Women are either whores or angels, and criminals are just pieces of dirt that deserve whatever they get.) But somewhere, somehow, something goes wrong with one of them. He starts believing that it's better to kill the criminals than to depend on the flawed, and often completely unfair, justice system. The old cop becomes a serial killer, getting away with 14 murders before he is caught and begins confessing. (This much of the plot is disclosed within the first few minutes of the film.)
Because the killer has been caught and the outcome is known (or is it?), the script then goes to flashback. This device, an unfortunate choice for the filmmakers, continues throughout the remainder of the movie. It does not serve either the actors or the audience well.
Old Cop vs. New CopIn accordance with the theme of duality, the script pairs Rooster and Turk with Detectives Perez (John Leguizamo) and Riley (Donnie Wahlberg). These cops are young and energetic, while Rooster and Turk, as their boss, Lt. Hingis (Brian Dennehy) states, "have 110 years on the Force between them." Yet younger doesn't necessarily mean better. Turk is dating Perez' young, hot ex-girlfriend, Detective Karen Corelli (Carla Gugino), and doing a pretty decent job of satisfying her violent and frequent sexual desires. Both Rooster and Turk seem able to pump iron with the same proficiency as Riley and Perez. And neither team of young or old cops seems to be able to catch the killer, that is; until they start teaming up together.
Pacino vs. DeNiro
Although the movie is supposed to be a thriller, there are very few thrills to be had. In order to keep the plot twist viable, the flashbacks are executed in such a manner as to preclude any emotional connection to the killer. We never gain any insight into what made the killer who he is. Thus, once the old cop is caught, as we know he will be, the climax is robbed of any drama.
The real raison d'être of this film seems to be the duality of Pacino and DeNiro on screen. While it is great to see them working together, neither one seems to be enjoying himself very much, and any cop that looked as old and tired as they do would have been on a desk five years ago. (It is hilarious, and sad, to see a chase scene executed at a walk; but that's what happens when your lead actors are close to 70.)
A Mercenary Exercise
"Righteous Kill" appears to be nothing more than a cynical exercise in getting rear ends in seats. It works on that level, but on every other level, it's a dud. Don't waste your hard-earned cash on this one.
