Divinity on a Leash

Rating: 7/10 (27 May 2007)

Eternity and entertainment, how could one exist without the other? True entertainment only comes without limits.
Seeing how my recent obsession with Charlize Theron has intensified in the last few weeks (may be the rather appalling effect of stress and responsibility which makes me want to elude reality), I got around to seeing the so renowned Devil's Advocate.
The film as such is a fun ride and, by all means, very well done. It's in the artistic impression it conveys to life and the reality of its tone in the first half that this advocate succeeds in defending a case so easy to lose (forgive the pun). While subtlety may not be its prime method of going about things, the vicious devilishness of the world fits very well in the picture. Yet, it is mainly Charlize's performance which caught my eye and soul, a performance so "tormentous" it simply made the film worth the watch. My bias is obvious, but I sincerely hope this opinion goes beyond personal taste. Morevoer, it is not only in her performance, but also in her character and its drama that the film gains depth and tension.
Keanu's Lomax, although the central character, never manages to truly get off the ground - as in, it never gains true distinctiveness. It would be erroneous of anyone to deem Keanu a brilliant actor, but there's always something more to acting than simply having the skills to do it, that is why I did not mind him being chosen for the role. Actually, he is only the "vehicle" which gets this film moving, but its value lies more in the peripheral happenings, the little things.
As a whole, Devil's Advocate may attach too much of a moral label to itself to actually fulfill its potential. It is however a clever film, with some good performances from both Charlize and Pacino (who does his usual tricks to amuse everyone), but which descends into dangerous territory towards the end. And it's not the right kind of dangerous territory.