REDBELT

David Mamet is one of my heros. Here is a man that started his own theatre company, writes his own plays, has an amazing "voice"if you will, he's a theatre graduate who has moved into films but has never forgotten the stage. He's worked with great actors and made them better and has worked with ok actors and made them good. One of the best gifts I ever got was his book called "On Film" from my college theatre director.

Redbelt is his latest movie to come out on DVD and while I saw the advertisments on TV I never got around to seeing it in a movie theatre, I wish I could have. It's a great movie with a great story.

Mamet has said it's his samuari film, in the tradition of [Akira] Karusowa, and I can totally see that influence in this movie about Mike Terry, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and self-defense instructor who imparts upon his students the skills to survive on the street, rather than compete in unarmed combat sports. A series of circumstances brings Terry in contact with popular movie hero Chet Frank (Tim Allen) and a legion of Hollywood movers and shakers. Terry soon finds himself the victim of a con and, combined with a destitute financial situation, is pressed to enter the ring for pride and profit.

This is yes a movie centered in the world of UFC like Mixed Martial Arts, but unlike the similar NEVER BACK DOWN, which has more in common with THE KARATE KID, this is a movie that deals with issues and questions, like "what is honor?" "how far will someone go to protect their mentors" "what is the nature of competion" etc.

Chiwetel Ejiofor is Mike Terry, and does a fantastic job as the honorable and troubled master. Tim Allen is surprising as a Hollywood action movie star. Joe Mantegna and Rodrigo Santoro are delightfully sleazy, and Emily Mortimer is both victim and encouragemtn, troubled and sweet. This is a Mamet film, and like I said above, he does excellent work with actors.

Mamet isn't really known for his abilty to film fight scenes, Micheal Bay he is not, but the fights are servicable.

This is one of those movies that may really fly under the rader but is really good and if you haven't seen it, see it.