Law Abiding Citizen

Rating: 9/10 (13 May 2010)

To be honest, F Gary Gray's Law Abiding Citizen is ultimately, in my mind, a cat and mouse thriller putting the imperfect justice system on trial. We see stories all the time on NBC's Law and Order about how lawyers negotiate deals in order to get a somewhat respectable verdict based on the evidence presented and the strength of the cases involved.
To me, the screenplay is purposely manipulative, specifically designed to prey on our emotions..how could we not sympathize with Gerard Butler after witnessing the opening minutes and the unfortunate result when the real killer is put on trial, getting off on a technicality? We see hot shot lawyer, career on the rise, Jamie Foxx orchestrate a deal with the repulsive rapist/killer of both Butler's wife and daughter. The wrong man is convicted(he was there in the house to rob and his partner, who couldn't help himself and control his deviant impulses, frames him for the crimes)and Butler even looks on as Foxx shakes the hand of the perpetrator who served a mere two years on a measly five year sentence.
Smartly, Kurt Wimmer's script forwards the story ten years later showing us Foxx who has a ten year old daughter. This affords Butler plenty of time to have put together his masterplan. Butler, is far more than just some simple inventor, as Foxx and all included (who were participants, in one way or another, in the release of a despicable cretin after a lousy prison sentence) will soon come to realize.
Bruce McGill is the DA and Leslie Bibb is a lawyer on Foxx's team, and they, among others, will have to somehow outsmart Butler who is, amazing enough, coordinating attacks on everyone who allowed injustice to be carried out..this as he is arrested and imprisoned. Butler wants to "bring the whole temple down", proclaiming that the court system is corrupt and immoral as he plans to make a "biblical" statement, to leave his mark on Foxx. The mystery is what Butler wants Foxx to figure out. It's all about how criminals are oftentimes treated too easily, while the just are dealt a terrible hand.
The filmmakers are certainly puppeteers..they toy around with our emotions, having us choose sides. Foxx has a more difficult role than Butler..he must convince the audience that his lawyer is someone who doesn't deserve what is meted out to his friends, peers, and associates. You see, we can understand why Butler is in such a psychological state..motivated by the hell that has left him without a family and justice for their demise.
Of course, it's up to Wimmer's screenplay to concoct a way for how Butler can achieve the various traps which kill many associated with Foxx..it's all rather preposterous, but making him some sort of cerebral gadget genius known for designing tools used to assassinate our government's "bad guys", equipped with an ability to strategize plots that befuddle and confuse an entire city's law enforcement and legal authority, allows the movie to arrange ingenious scenarios to keep the viewer wondering what would happen next.
I have to hand it to the filmmakers, they really weave together quite a tale, putting Foxx in a sticky situation, his lawyer questioned for letting his egotistical desire to keep his criminal record intact over the possibility of taking his client's advice and engaging the person on trial in a court battle. Butler not only is afforded a chance to win our hearts for what he has gone through, and given a character who is both wily and incredibly intelligent. It's the case of two pros on opposing sides, yielding eventually one victor..who can outwit the other? How Butler is able to coordinate his plan from a prison cell is just extraordinary. I imagine Butler's revenge on his family's killer will be met with applause.