Warner Bros, Village Roadshow and Silver Pictures present an R rated 119 minute film directed by Neil Jordan and starring Jodie Foster (Erica), Terrence Howard (Mercer), Naveen Andrews (David), Nicky Katt (Detective Vitale), Blaze Foster (Cash), Zoe Kravitz (Chloe), Jane Adams (Nicole), Douglas J. Aguirre (CSU Detective), Mary Steenburgen (Carol) with a vast supporting cast of characters.
Working in radio myself we are all known as the voice rather than the face. In the old days many people had the perception that radio personalities were older and sometimes heavier than what they really are - "a face for radio". Not true and Jodie Foster (Erica), proves that point, thankfully. As a radio host myself for 18 years I must say Foster played the role perfectly right down to the passion that flowed through her veins. But as the film portrays that passion for entertainment and enlightenment changed to rage and revenge on and off the airwaves when she herself became the brutal victim of a crime in Strangers Gate Park, New York.
On June 11th while taking their dog, Curtis, for a walk in the park they encounter a group of thugs that not only brutally beat Erica, kill David her fiancé, steal the dog, but film the whole incident as well. When Erica awakens in a hospital room three weeks later her life is over as she knows it and David is buried but of course never forgotten. When she returns home she sees him in her memories, the good overcome by the burning scars that will now plague her for the rest of her life. Fear enters into her life at first being afraid to leave her apartment, walk the streets alone, always looking over her shoulder and left speechless on her radio show, Street Walk, on 90.1 WNKW. People are truly afraid of people and familiar after becoming a victim.
Intertwined within the film is yet another subplot that Detective Mercer is investigating which involves the murder of a mother by her husband which later in the storyline all ties into one big thrill ride in this crime action drama. Not only do Mercer and Erica forge a bit of a working relationship but a friendship as well as their paths cross throughout the film. Overall though the police tend to be no help in finding David's killers so Erica decides to take matters in her own hands. Acquiring a nine millimeter automatic she no longer walks in fear but rather as a woman with a mission. She decides to help those that cannot help themselves on the streets of the city. Questions arise in her mind if she is intentionally seeking the darker side of life or has it always been there and see never noticed it before until she was forced into the reality that crime exists everywhere. In her mind, at the time, it is the best way for her to figure out a way to live.
Crime in the city is prevalent especially when you open your eyes to it. Erica did just that and decided to make a difference and stand up for what was right. But how many rights begin to make a wrong? Is anyone ever truly above the law whether a politician, a radio host, or even a policeman? When a victim of a violent crime do you truly become someone else, a stranger? Does it make you more like the criminals that executed this act of violence taking away your spirit that once looked at life as brightness rather than darkness? The film at one point projects the views of New Yorkers on Erica's radio program about an everyday "Joe" taking matters in his or her own hands and these views were also projected amongst the theatre audience as well when cheers were heard during the death of low life criminals killed by the hand of a fearful, fragile and broken spirited woman on the big screen.
It is true, I firmly believe that anyone can be a killer when faced with the right predicament. I personally worked in New York back in the late 80's and traveled by subway 2 hours back and forth to work everyday and can attest to the horrific acts people can force on others. One day I got caught in a riot in the subway and watched a pregnant woman thrown down an escalator, two men stab each other right next to me as another tried robbing my backpack, just one of many stories under and above the streets of the city. But not until I moved to Florida when walking to my car did I live the life reflected in this film. I never made it home that night since I had a wooden bat broken over my ribs and arm by six men causing me to seek emergency hospital help. No support by the police and fearful that it would happen again, I too, as did Erica in this film sought out the need for a gun. But as I held it in my hand in a pawn shop I could not muster up the strength to become one of them, a killer of ones spirit. I struggled with the thoughts that people are truly good within but rather was made fearful to once again live life looking over my shoulder at all times like I did in New York. As it did Erica, the incident along with others in my life does create a hole in you that will never ever be filled.
Erica will never get her fiancé back but at least maybe a bit of her spirit and of course man's, in this case woman's best friend too. There are lines in films that will live on for ever and in this one "I want my dog back" will forever hold strong in the archives of this magnificent story solidifying the feelings that animals are part of our family as well. The ending of the film has a huge twist that brought me back to the scene during "Silence of the Lambs" involving of course a brilliant and worthy of an Oscar nod performance by Jodie Foster. Terrence Howard did a superb job but it was the witty candor of his partner played by Nicky Katt that brought a much needed sense of levity to a very heavy emotional film. A big fan of the television show "Lost" and Naveen Andrews, his role was short but imperative to the story line along with the supporting character of Mary Steenburgen who played Erica's boss at the radio station. Great direction, acting and writing filled with wonderful monologues by Foster mixed with a complimenting score make this not so original two hour film a must see. Let's just hope that the criminals that view this film will realize the demoralizing effect their actions have on others. Hopefully people don't decide to take matters in their own hands thinking they are above the law but if they do make sure to walk amongst the justice system and use a legal gun!
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.