The Rhythm Section

When it comes to films that surround around international intrigue, I can't help but think of those films that Luc Besson created, i.e. Transporter films, the Taken films, Lucy and even The Fifth Element. However, even though "The Rhythm Section" has a similar feel about it, the writer simply needs more experience to get to the point that he needs to be.

Stephanie Patrick (Blake Lively) veers down a path of self-destruction through drugs and street prostitution after a tragic plane crash kills her family. An investigative journalist, Keith Proctor (Raza Jeffrey) soon confronts her and she learns that the crash wasn't an accident. So, through a man called 'the source' (Jude Law) whom she knew about through Proctor, she is able to convince him to show her the ropes in fighting and survival tactics in order to extract revenge on the culprits. After her training, the source decides to put her in the field, and she subsequently turns to a former CIA operative, Marc Serra (Sterling K. Brown), however her quest starts unraveling the truth and through this decides to punish those who are responsible. 

Others to round out the cast are Max Casella as Leon Giler, Daniel Mays as Dean West, Geoff Bell as Green, Richard Brake as Lehmans, Jade Anouka as Laura Fuller, Jack McEvoy as Conor, Ivana Basic as Oksana, Nasser Memarzia as Suleman Kaif and Amira Ghazalla as Alia Kaif, Suleman's wife. 

This was intriguingly directed by Reed Morano ("Meadowland" '15, "I Think We're Alone Now" '18) plus TV and a short. I say intriguingly because through her directing techniques, she was responsible in emotionally transforming Lively from the drug addict that she was to that of the cold, calculating killer she became. And she became a fighting killer with all the inadequacies one would have just coming off training. This is difficult to succeed at, but with Lively providing her expertise, it surely made it easier. It was interestingly written by Mark Burnell based on his novel. For this being his first writing (TV and film), it was an incredible undertaking, however, with his limited experience, the script certainly jumped around and was choppy in places. Like many other films, it starts somewhere in the middle of the story, and then goes back eight months where we are introduced to Stephanie, a troubled, addicted individual whose life is spiraling down the drain. And then she meets Proctor, and the story goes from that point. Although starting a film at mid point of the story and working its way to that point and beyond, because of this writer's inexperience, the storyline was difficult, at times, to keep up with. Not sure why a guy as good as what he did (the source) would jeapordize a mission with someone as inexperienced as Stephanie was, but then there wouldn't be a film. What probably saved this film was the chemistry between Law and Lively. It was the thing that is the success of this, so casting of these two characters was paramount. Truly, Burnell has potential of being a talented screenwriter, and we should soon find out considering that his thriller, "Remote Control" is in development. 

The car chases, stunts and the frenetic chemistry between Law and Lively makes this script move its audience right along, but hopefully Burnell will be given more opportunities to show what, I believe, he can really write. It's gritty, intense and, at some points, keeps one on the edge of their seats.

Out of 4 Stars: 2.5                                      Rated: R                                              110mins.