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I love a good thriller. I’m a huge fan of Hitchcock, De Palma, and Fincher. Each has shown a profound ability to craft atmospheric tension with their respective storytelling styles. With that said, I’m well aware that not every filmmaker can live up to the standard set by such iconic creators. And that’s ok. I am also quite happy to engage in escapist cinema as a way to unwind and give my brain a rest. It’s like the distinction between fine cuisine and a TV dinner. Both serve an important purpose. While you probably wouldn’t reach for a Hungry Man meal to delight your palate with something exquisite, even the most dedicated culinary enthusiast needs something quick and easy from time to time. And that’s precisely why I find merit in the Peter Howitt thriller Reasonable Doubt.
The film follows assistant district attorney Mitch Brockden (Dominic Cooper), a man who came from humble means but has since risen to prominence. After a night of drinking with his pals, Mitch goes against his better judgment and drives home under the influence. As he navigates back to the homefront, Mitch is involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident. Clinton Davis (Samuel L. Jackson), an auto mechanic, is charged with the crime and Mitch is assigned to prosecute the case. Conflicted with a crisis of conscience, Mitch ensures the charges are dismissed. But what if Davis really is a killer?
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Films like Reasonable Doubt provide little substance but make a case for their existence by being entertaining. As frowned upon as it may be by purists, I wholeheartedly contend that we need cinematic comfort food. In my estimation, it’s acceptable for movies to execute primarily on established tropes as long as the output is entertaining. After all, those tropes exist for a reason. Even the most well-worn conventions can be mighty effective under the right circumstances. Howitt recognizes that and makes the most of the material. He delivers an entertaining and often brutal effort in the process.
Not everyone agrees with that assessment, though. One critic likened the thriller to two or three episodes of Law & Order stitched together. Another suggested the focus should have been more on the lead character’s desire to distance himself from his past and less on genre tropes. Both criticisms are valid. Reasonable Doubt does feel a little like a TV movie, and there isn’t much depth.
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Anyone willing to look past the picture’s shortcomings will find that the tension level quickly reaches the point of being immersive. The way things take a turn for Mitch and continue getting worse has a compounding effect that had me squirming in my seat. Granted, you must connect with the character to get the most bang for your buck. But Dominic Cooper is serviceable in his turn as Mitch and manages to be relatable. The character is a bit of a dumbass. But it’s clear he loves his wife and child, and his relationship with his stepbrother is depicted rather poignantly.
Given that Mitch reaches the point of being endearing, it becomes painful to watch him tango with a calculated killer who gets his kicks playing with his food. Samuel L. Jackson turns in a solid performance as a predator. He is calculated and ruthless in his turn as Clinton Davis. He exudes a sick sense of self-satisfaction that makes it almost impossible not to relate to Mitch’s plight. Mitch is flawed. But he isn’t a monster. The same cannot be said of Clinton.
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The contentious dynamic between Clinton and Mitch reaches a boiling point in the third act. We see Mitch fleeing custody in a frantic attempt to save his wife from certain death. The editing and score make the film’s final moments harrowing and intense. It may not be the first time we’ve seen such a setup, but Howitt makes the most of it and delivers a highly watchable finale that is guaranteed to get the blood pumping.
Although you shouldn’t watch Reasonable Doubt with the expectation it will reinvent the wheel, this is a great pick for a night in with a bucket of popcorn. If you’re keen to check the flick out, you can find it streaming on Starz as of the publication of this post.
Categorized:Editorials
