Why A Working Man Falls Flat: A Grim Action Flick That Misses the Mark

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After spending over a year pondering my thoughts, I can now express that although I wasn’t fond of the 2024 movie “The Beekeeper,” I acknowledge why it resonated with certain viewers. The film is chaotic in its tone, but it does showcase some remarkable attempts to be quirky and peculiar – featuring vibrant, neon lighting, eccentric antagonists, and a protagonist who transitions from being a member of an exclusive group called The Beekeepers into a real-life beekeeper. Personally, I didn’t appreciate the dark elements that the movie incorporated with its humor, but I can comprehend why others did (leading to the upcoming sequel, “Beekeeper 2”).

A Working Man

Launch Date: The film is set to premiere on the 28th of March, 2025.At the Helm: David Ayer takes the director’s chair.Scriptwriters: Sylvester Stallone and David Ayer have penned this production.In the Lead Roles: Jason Statham, David Harbour, Michael Peña, Noemi Gonzalez, Arianna Rivas, Isla Gie, and Jason Flemyng are part of the cast.Rating Advisory: This movie carries an R rating due to its graphic violence, frequent strong language, and drug-related content.Duration: The runtime is approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes.

In the film “A Working Man,” directed by David Ayer and starring Jason Statham, there’s a familiar storyline: a retired elite action hero is drawn back into the fray when someone dear to him is in danger. However, unlike previous outings, this tale lacks the usual intensity. It feels formulaic, relying on well-worn tropes and questionable plot developments. If you’re not an ardent fan of Statham who enjoys watching him fight, you might find it hard to find anything worthwhile in this movie.

According to the novel “Levon’s Trade” penned by Chuck Dixon, the film portrays Jason Statham as Levon Cade, a former Royal Marines commando residing in Chicago, striving to establish a peaceful existence for himself as a construction supervisor to gain full guardianship of his daughter Isla Gie. Although he desires to distance himself from his violent past, circumstances compel him to utilize his lethal abilities once again when Jenny (Arianna Rivas), the child of his employers Michael Peña and Noemi Gonzalez, gets abducted.

Following some unremarkable and predictable sequences where Levon resists the call to action, he swiftly embarks on an investigation. This journey sees him engaging in confrontations and harsh treatments towards individuals as he delves deeper into uncovering the truth regarding Jenny’s fate. His inquiry eventually reveals that she has been kidnapped by a Russian criminal syndicate as part of a sex trafficking ring. Much like many cinematic protagonists from recent years, he employs his unique skillset to dismantle this entire operation.

A Working Man has two speeds: way too simple and way too complicated.

Regarding the construction of its narrative, A Working Man refuses to be either monotonously straightforward or needlessly complex; it skillfully achieves a balance between the two. The film starts with a highly intriguing prologue, and then follows a repetitive pattern of Levon discovering a clue, interrogating someone harshly, uncovering another clue, and questioning yet another individual – this sequence is not only creatively unoriginal but also graphic and uncomfortable to watch. Interestingly, Jason Statham’s captivating charm seems to remain dormant throughout the movie.

Later on, it seems as if the filmmakers noticed that the movie was becoming dull and repetitive, so they attempted to inject some creativity by making things chaotic. In the storyline, Levon finds a bar inhabited by individuals linked to the Russian mafia, and he devises a scheme where he feigns being a dealer in search of blue meth – an idea that appears to have been inspired solely by watching episodes of Breaking Bad. Despite his efforts, this plan leads him to confront the very villain he had been pursuing. However, the plot becomes preposterous and is intertwined with a secondary storyline involving Jenny and a pair who ineptly kidnap her (Emmett J. Scanlan, Eve Mauro). Unfortunately, the second half of A Working Man turns into complete chaos.

The action in A Working Man is brutal but never fun.

If you’re hoping for an action-packed movie with unique fight scenes, exciting camera work, and memorable dialogue, I regret to inform you that “A Working Man” may not deliver in those areas. While there is no shortage of punching, kicking, knives, and guns, the execution lacks flair or creativity. The film initially presents a strong premise with its title character using tools like a bucket of nails and a pickaxe, but this concept doesn’t develop beyond that point. Unfortunately, Statham’s on-screen fights are predictable, lacking any standout moments or witty quips.

Without the use of spectacle, the film “A Working Man” relies heavily on brutality, yet it struggles to find its footing due to this approach. The movie seems to miss an opportunity for increased enjoyment through depictions of visible injuries, gory scenes, and violent movements. However, director David Ayer opts to maintain a sense of authenticity, and this decision carries a price: the film becomes unremittingly grim and lacks the necessary fun elements, which is a significant misstep in this genre, as entertainment value often comes from such elements.

While it’s not accurate to claim that “A Working Man” is devoid of color entirely, there are some instances of vivid details that stand out, such as the flamboyant suits worn by Russian gangsters and the ornate throne in one antagonist’s hideout. However, these elements mainly serve to highlight what’s largely missing from the film. It’s a serious production, yet it struggles to be taken seriously, and despite its simplicity, it fails to deliver enjoyment. Both Jason Statham and David Ayer have demonstrated their capabilities for superior work, and this project is significantly distant from their best performances.

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2025-03-26 22:07