The Cold Light of Day
Director: Mabrouk El Mechri
Writers: Scott Wiper, John Petro
Stars: Henry Cavill, Bruce Willis, Sigourney Weaver, Verónica Echegui, Caroline Goodall, Rafi Gavron, Emma Hamilton
Action-Adventure
Movie Review
The Cold Light of Day centers around Will Shaw (Henry Cavill), a suit-wearing business consultant visiting his family in Madrid. He’s in great shape, though, able to easily swim at least half-a-mile, dash hither, thither, and yon, and walk away after falling off the top of a building. With a bullet wound. He does it all with a straight face, too–this bodes well for Cavill playing the lead in next summer’s Man of Steel.
Will and his brother Josh (Rafi Gavron) were raised all over the world, moving every few years, as their father Martin (Bruce Willis) is some sort of diplomatic aide working for the U.S. government. We’re also told that Will and his dad don’t get along, although the conflict comes mostly in the form of yelling by Martin and sulking by Will. Seems the family vacation came at a bad time for Will.
Early on, the family has gone sailing, and Will indulges himself by running into town on an errand. When he returns, Josh, their mother Laurie, Martin, and Josh’s girlfriend Dara are all missing. The rest of the film focuses on Will’s search for his family.
This film does a great job establishing a mystery–Will has no clue what is going on, and neither does the viewer. After a while, though, it gets very frustrating. There isn’t enough information being doled out, and what’s happening just isn’t interesting enough to keep the movie-goer engaged. Motivations (for everyone except Will) are unclear. Who the players are is confusing. And things keep happening that pull you right out of the movie–like the events surrounding Will’s fall.
Along the way Will charms girls with but a smile–local girl Lucia ends up drawn into his quest, helping him get around Madrid and locate people of interest.
Since Will is running from some mysterious bad guys, there are a number of good chase scenes. And they destroy a lot of property.
Henry Cavill does a good job as Will–he has an appealing earnestness about him. Sigourny Weaver is absolutely awesome as one of Bruce Willis’s peers, and Verónica Echegui is excellent as Lucia. Bruce Willis also gives a solid performance, but he spends so little time on screen that he’s really wasted in this role.
Overall, there was too much deus ex machina going on for me. Not a bad movie, but not a great one, either. A harmless diversion. And Madrid is sure pretty.
Elektra Hammond
Buzzy Mag Editor & Reviewer
