Redbelt
David Mamet's plays and films have always carried an air of machismo, so much so that you could make a case for one of his continual themes being the question of what makes a man. So it should be no surprise the world of mixed martial arts should appeal to him, and no surprise that after years of participation in the sport he would finally make it the central backdrop for another story about the soul of man. It's fitting then that Redbelt plays out exactly like a film noir without looking anything like one. Our hero, Mike Terry (played with Bogart-like stoicism by the brilliant British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor), is an MMA instructor and past champion struggling to keep his studio afloat without compromising his principles. When he unknowingly rescues a movie star from some drunk troublemakers, Terry is seduced by the easy life of his new Hollywood benefactor and lets his guard down much to his eventual detriment. Like so many film noir "good guys," Terry is forced to make a decision where doing the best thing isn't necessarily doing the right thing. The kind of decision that settles the question of what makes a man—the ability to defeat your opponent or something stronger than that?
Mamet's script is superb as usual; and his cast, a blend of his regulars and some surprisingly against-type new faces (such as Tim Allen), bring his always exceptional dialogue to life with ease. If you're a Mamet enthusiast like myself, Redbelt should be right up your alley. If you're an MMA enthusiast, perhaps Mamet can better illuminate the balance between the sport and life for you.
- April 15, 2009
DVD Extras
The best feature on the Blu-ray release of Redbelt is a 20-minute Q&A session Mamet held after a screening of the film, which offers an rare glimpse into the thought process of a brilliant and often reticent writer/director. One featurette focuses on the production while another, "Inside Mixed Martial Arts," is self-explanatory. Additionally, a little sidebar on the magic of Cyril Takayama (who has a small, but important role in the film) puts a little whimsy into the special features section. The commentary track is by Mamet and MMA fighter Randy Couture.