Blow , Gabriel, Blow

Rating: 5/10 (19 December 2005)

Having no awareness of the comic book, Constantine for me was...alright I guess. It starts out very feebly with Keanu Reeves performing an exorcism. If you want to see some miscasting, then look no farther than here. Now, I am not going to say Reeves is horrible. He isn't nor is he good. He is Keanu Reeves playing John Constantine, a man that helps God by killing demons(half-demons I think they were called)that try to cross over into our world. He does not help God because of goodness but rather for a hopeful gain to be admitted to Heaven for services rendered. I believe this is the basic background. Reeves is then paired with a police detective whose sister mysteriously committed suicide and who possesses psychic powers, etc... Constantine certainly has a very complex and developed story and I, for the most part, found much of it intriguing if nothing else. The idea that two forces combat daily over souls and keep a tally sheet for deeds performed was done in an interesting fashion. There is an over-propensity by director Francis Lawrence to use special effects here, there, and everywhere. Some of them are quite dazzling; some of them look like the frosting on top of the frosting on top of the cake. Lawrence does do some scenes very stylishly. I was confused a bit with the storyline here and there, but nothing multiple viewings should be able to correct - should one be so inclined. I confess I am not. For all its interesting plot contrivances, thematic battle of good and bad with Angel Gabriel and Satan as well in tow as characters, and sense of style, the film is just not coherent enough to make any real sense nor do the actors at hand have the depth to carry off any true believability. Reeves is barely adequate for this kind of role and it shows. He quips one-liners ala James Bond with a stone-faced incredulity that makes him almost seem clownish. You must have a lead that can lead. The other performers are not bad. Tilda Swinton as Gabriel, a complex character that I had particular trouble understanding, gives a very unique interpretation of what an angel would be like in human form. I guess my review is lukewarm at best: I liked the concept but not fully the execution.