By Tim McGroarty
It would be hard for a film with Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling to not be good and Fracture delivers powerful performances with a great plot to keep the on-screen duo at each other’s throats the whole time.
The movie follows young attorney Willy Beachum (Ryan Gosling) who is currently in the lane of success, having a 97% conviction rate. Willy takes what sounds like an open and shut case involving a murder where a man named Ted Crawford (played brilliantly by Anthony Hopkins) kills his wife (Embeth Davidtz) after discovering that she had been cheating on him. Beachum has all he needs, the gun and even a signed confession, only to discover that the game becomes more complicated than it appears. We discover the gun was “never fired”, and the confession is thrown out when we discover the cop who arrested Hopkins was the one with whom his wife was having an affair. Crawford claims the confessions were made fearing for his life from the arresting officer. Beachum, unable to shake the case, finds himself in a race to find evidence and while at the same time trapped in the severe mental mind games Crawford, who is enjoying the ride, plays on him.
Crawford’s mind games keep the audience engaged and watching Beachum begin his downward spiral in his desperate attempt to win this case and gather evidence is without a doubt entertaining. Keeping in line with the title, which cleverly refers to a breaking point, Crawford tells Beachum that he will find his weak spot and will break him.Hopkins is nothing less than excellent for his role as the psychotic Teddy Crawford – there will be no fans of the Silence of the Lambs trilogy disappointed by his performance for it is just as creepy.
Yet even playing alongside the great Hopkins, Gosling certainly will not go unnoticed. Fresh off of his Oscar-nominated performance in Half Nelson, Gosling proves himself yet again. Both actors highlight the screen with characters who are more than believable. Not only is this film packed with drama, excitement and suspense, it is also dusted with just enough humor to make it one of the most supremely entertaining movies of the year. Hopkins’ quick wit and Gosling’s humor jump off screen and bring the audience to laughter on several occasions.
All around, Fracture is a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing but it is also a rich and highly enjoyable film. Letting this movie get lost in the shadow of huge summer blockbusters would be a real shame – totally engaging little gems like this are why we love movies. Fracture is well worth your time and the price of admission.
GRADE: A-
