white man as victim in age of Obama

Rating: 8/10 (2 November 2009)

In a book called the Oxford History of World Cinema, their is an interesting article written by Joseph Sartelle called Dreams and Nightmares in the Hollywood Blockbuster. he makes some interesting points, especially regarding the movie DIE HARD, suggesting that our hero in that movie is also somewhat also representative of THE WHITE MAN AS VICTIM. He also sites some other films. While the writer's theory may be preposterous to some, it is interesting. In Law Abiding Citizen, F Gary Gray seems to be commenting in his film on this. He is also commenting as well on the changing roles in our society of authority figures, and the age of a possible terrorist attack that we live in.
Clyde Shelton, as played by Gerald Butler is THE LAW ABIDING CITIZEN. However, while he is a victim, having lost his wife and daughter to a heinous crime, how law abiding is he. We learn that in the past he was somewhat of a think tank who helped people in our government get rid of people they considered undesirable by apparently ingenious ways. When justice does not serve this man who has been involved in others deaths, look out for this law abiding citizen. Perhaps F Gary Gray is suggesting that the most dangerous man in the world is the white male who sees himself as victim. Shelton could even be somewhat representative of the US after 9/11, out for revenge, and justifying why he must do what he is doing, and killing as he is killing.
While he clearly has the audience sympathizing with Clyde Shelton, his first murder that he does is on a very disturbing note. During the execution of Darby's accomplice in the killing of Sheltons wife and family, a man who we realize is remorseful, and is apparently less guilty of the two men, but perhaps did not have as good a lawyer, Shelton has some canisters changed, so that this executed man, not only is executed, but suffers as well. Even Shelton's killing of the more guilty Darby, is done by the mind of a very sick individual.
Nick Rice as played by Jamie Fox is presented as an ambitious, but not very likable individual. He is more concerned about his percentage of guilty verdicts, even if it means that an evil scumbag like Darby will get a short sentence. That he is black, and like Shelton earlier, has a wife and daughter is no accident. The only reason we as an audience do not want him to get killed, is because we are more concerned about his wife and daughter, the two protagonists in this film, are neither hero or villain. That two of the leading white characters, a woman just below him, and his boss, an older male, are killed by Shelton, allows for Nick Rice to reach his dream of being the top man. The black mayor played by Viola Davis, tells Nick that he should be fired. However, instead she has her black aide, a man bring a bible, and swears in Nick as the top DA. That all three people in this room during that time are African Americans suggests the new roles that African Americans are taking in this the US, and perhaps Gray is asking the question if someone like Obama will be different from his predecessors. The Mayor, a more sympathetic figure than Nick Rice, even she during the meeting, where she may become a victim of an explosion bring up Homeland Security. At the end of the film, Nick is able to watch his daughters violin recital, a proud parent with a wife who is happy that he is there. But we are not left with a feeling of comfort, or even that Nick is a better man. He is a man who has gotten what he wanted at the expense of others, and the film leaves us with the impression that Nick is guilty as Clyde is, even if he does have the law on his side. During Clydes death, we see fire surrounding him, like an idea of hell. Nick could have prevented Shelton's death, but did not. He might have even caused the deaths of others at the prison. Will the flames that Nick escaped, eventually consume him as well.
Finally who is SHelton? Is he really any different than some Arab terrorist, who has an agenda against those in authority, and like some of these terrorists, justify their actions because they have felt they have been wronged. SHelton does not bring up Islam, but he does bring up the bible with his "It will be biblical" While some of the film may be far-fetched, it is none the less an interesting film, which asks questions, but does not give answers.