Director Hans Petter Moland‘s “Absolution” is a gritty, if forgettable, character study about redemption and remorse. Anchored by a solid lead performance from Liam Neeson, the film’s plodding pace and sparse plot makes it a bit of a letdown overall. Neeson fans may appreciate his nuanced work here, but there is very little else to recommend.
When an aging gangster (Neeson) is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he attempts to reconnect with his adult children (Frankie Shaw) and rectify the many mistakes he’s made over the course of his life. It doesn’t take long before he realizes that escaping the criminal underworld won’t be easy. It’s an emotional story about a turbulent past and an uncertain future, but what could’ve been a gritty character study becomes a mish-mash of crime film and family drama.
The best thing here is Neeson’s “old reliable” aura, which shines through as he balances a formidable presence with a touch of vulnerability. He is the most captivating part of the film, and the quiet gravitas he brings outstrips the quality of the material he’s given. You can pretty much cast the actor in anything and he will instantly make it better, as he does here. Neeson’s grizzled co-star Ron Perlman is also a treat, and the duo have a great dynamic that left me wishing the pair had more shared screen time.
Unfortunately, the film suffers greatly from pacing issues that make it an uphill climb. The slow, brooding rhythm might have suited a deeper, more textured story, but the lack of compelling twists or genuine suspense undercuts its effectiveness. The film’s few attempts to add psychological depth (like the multiple, unnecessary dream sequences) only serve as distractions that pull viewers out of the story rather than into it. The scenes feel stretched thin and the narrative underdeveloped.
Ultimately, “Absolution” is a tale of redemption that struggles to find its footing as either a crime thriller or a family drama and instead delivers nothing more than disappointment.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 