![]() Combined with the superfluous side-stories mentioned earlier, there's more crammed in here than there really ought to be. This certainly doesn't mean that Fracture can't pull the wool over our eyes during a few key sequences, but the film's third act often seems painfully forced in its simplicity. Audiences have become so accustomed to being tricked during a thriller's final moments, the thought of a relatively neat ending almost seems like a cheat in itself. ![]() Fortunately (and in a sense, unfortunately), there are few twists and turns along the way. The legal proceedings are certainly far-fetched but occasionally gripping, as Crawford's profession of innocence actually makes us question the film's opening moments. Most viewers will find Fracture harmless enough upon its first viewing. Additionally, the plot ends up being painfully linear: all the pieces seem to literally fall into place, leaving little room for suspense or even dramatic tension. Both offer rather short-sighted glimpses of character development for the young prosecutor, even though they're rarely needed in what should've been a more streamlined thriller. Unfortunately, a number of supporting characters only exist to slow down the proceedings, from Willy's new boss and quasi-love interest (Rosamund Pike) to the heavy-handed treatment of Crawford's comatose wife. Their interactions are often stirring, even when Hopkins veers into familiar territory. Unfortunately, the evidence against him doesn't quite add up, turning this seemingly open-and-shut case into a movement for acquittal.įirst, the good news: Hopkins and Gosling turn in strong performances here, carrying most of the film's weight as the story unfolds. The film's earliest sequences hint at what drove Crawford to commit the crime, but one thing's for sure: we saw him do it. Luckily, his most recent case appears to be a no-brainer: wealthy engineer Ted Crawford (Hopkins) has just been convicted of shooting his wife, who lays comatose in a hospital while the legal proceedings unfold. He's just been offered a high-profile position at a corporate law firm, so it's no surprise that his focus is starting to drift. Our story revolves around Willy Beachum (Ryan Gosling, Half Nelson), a successful young prosecutor with only two weeks left at his current job. Fracture, on the other hand, plays all of its cards too early and lumbers along to an unsatisfying conclusion. The main difference, of course, is this: Silence takes its time as the horrific events unfold, always ready with another trick up its sleeve. ![]() Both feature protagonists seeking justice while attempting to dissect Hopkins' mind-but instead of a young, upstart FBI student, here we get a young, upstart lawyer. Both feature Anthony Hopkins as an intelligent, provocative criminal who commands attention with his words and actions. Both could be considered psychological thrillers, though Silence is much closer to a horror film. It's hard to watch Gregory Hoblit's Fracture (2007) and not be reminded of The Silence of the Lambs-at least on the surface, that is. ![]()
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