Edge Of Your Seat Drama

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday August 9, 2007

CHRISTY LEMIRE

FRACTURE (M)

Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling,

David Strathairn, Rosamund Pike, Embeth Davidtz

Director: Gregory Hoblit

***

Screening: Greater Union Shellharbour, Hoyts Warrawong, Roxy Nowra

Let's acknowledge it: Anthony Hopkins is indeed doing a version of his patented Hannibal Lecter schtick in Fracture.

So, yes, you have seen him do this before.

But he does it so richly and it's still so entertaining, you may as well just give in.

Hopkins and co-star Ryan Gosling get lively, challenging material to work with in this film from director Gregory Hoblit (Primal Fear, Frequency). They get to spar with each other and generally enjoy fantastically smart, zippy banter.

Gosling, the recent Oscar nominee for his subtly powerful work as a drug-addicted teacher in Half Nelson, more than holds his own with such a formidable screen presence. The difference in their demeanours - Hopkins quietly sadistic, Gosling buzzing with ambition - creates a really compelling dynamic.

Fracture is suspenseful and darkly stylish; the film has some Hitchcockian touches and an unexpectedly dry sense of humour. Hopkins stars as wealthy Los Angeles aeronautical engineer Ted Crawford, who shoots his much younger wife Jennifer (Embeth Davidtz) in the head after he catches her having an affair.

We've watched him meticulously work through each step of the crime, then calmly and confidently admit to committing it.

Why would he do that?

The eventual big-picture answer is because he knows exactly how to get away with it.

More immediately, though, it's to torment the lieutenant who's called to his house to negotiate with him - the same guy who happened to be having the affair with Ted's wife.

Looks like a pretty quick case for Gosling's character, hot-shot prosecutor Willy Beachum, who's on the verge of leaving the district attorney (David Strathairn, solid and authoritative) for a high-paying corporate law gig.

But Willy soon realises that nothing turns out to be as easy as it initially seemed.

Evidence disappears, the confession is tossed out, and Ted wants to represent himself in court.

And so this sly Southern boy, who's skated his whole life on his looks, arrogance and charm, finds he actually has to work hard at something for once.

Hopkins and Gosling don't even share that much screen time with each other, but when they do, it's exhilarating.

Even the expectation of the first time they face each other alone in a jail interview room is delicious.

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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