By: Cynthia Ayala
Liam Neeson and Scott Frank bring the edgy thriller A Walk Among the Tombstones with this thrilling adaptation that is sure to send viewers to the edge of their seats.
Directed by: Scott Frank
Screenplay by: Scott Frank
Based on A Walk Among the Tombstones by Lawrence Block
Starring: Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, Boyd Holbrook, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, David Harbour, Adam David Thompson, Eris Nelsen, Brian “Astro” Bradley and Sebastian Roché
Genre: Action, Crime Drama, Thriller/Mystery – R | 1 hr. 54 min.
Matt Scudder, ex-NYPD cop turned unlicensed private investigator takes on the hesitant job of investigating the brutal murder of a heroine traffickers wife. However, what began as a simple investigation soon turns into a race to get another traffickers’ innocent daughter back before she becomes another dismembered body in a park.
A mystery thriller that really keeps the viewer on the edge as they walk alongside Matt Scudder, played by Liam Neeson, as he investigate the horrid crimes by these mad men who insist on making drug traffickers suffer. Story wise this is a very interesting concept to take a cop who turns into a private investigator due to an accident involving alcohol. The suspense and thrill that goes behind the story to unveil who the sociopaths are takes a turn when Liam Neeson discovers the madness behind their method.
The story within this film was detailed very well and connected the characters to one another on an investigative level. Within the film, the characters are drawn together in order to help find Ray (David Harbour) and his partner. There is no deeper connection between the elder members of the cast, but what brings them together, what locks them in as teammates is the writing. The thrills that draw them together are so dynamic due to the suspenseful build up and the unsuspecting nature of them.
As the film progresses, more about the characters is revealed, allowing the audience to feel sympathy and even root for the lesser of the two evils.
Of course, it helps this this film has such an amazing cast behind it. Liam Neeson is an incredible actor. Just in the way he stops and analyzes something and delivers his lines is amazing. He has such a strength within him that makes him such a magnetic person to watch on the big screen.
Unquestionably, he was not the only shining star within the film. The actors captured who their characters were. However, while they all were great choices for the film, there some moments when Dan Stevens was stiff. It’s easy to overlook those instances because of the circumstances and the viewer can assuage it as his character trying to contain every emotion he has – the rage, the pain, the sadness – giving his character an emotional depth. Nevertheless, Stevens did present a stiff characterization of his character.
A Walk Among the Tombstones is a captivating thriller with an amazing lead actor and a strong story that delivers mystery, suspense and action in amazing uncluttered detail. ★★ ½ (out of 5′ ☆ | B+)