The Book of Eli: Film Review
Whence the skies open all hell will rain down on mankind….
The Book of Eli is one of those movies both hard to love and hard to hate. Where your compass lands will depend on whether your filmic taste buds are partial to a bit of the post-apocalyptic.
It just so happens, mine are.
Yet The Book of Eli left a bittersweet taste and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I would have been better off investing two hours in John Carpenter’s Escape from New York.
The Book of Eli: A Post-Apocalyptic Wasteland
I can’t really think of many movies in the post-apocalyptic canon which are devoid of faults. Given that the genre stems largely from B-movie making, mistakes are to be expected. In fact, mistakes are to be welcomed.
It is, after all, part of the charm.
It’ll come as no surprise then that The Book of Eli is more uneven than a Jaffa Cake. Sure, the Hughes brothers imbue their barren wasteland with some fresh stylish fun, but once the dust settles there is little to write home about.
The central character, played by Denzel Washington, spent three decades wandering dystopian America. Washington chops his way through an array of unsavoury characters in his quest to protect a sacred book.
Picture Bill Bryson with a samurai sword.
The Book of Eli has a number of things going in its favour. The Hughes brothers, for instance, neatly avoid the trappings of bullet-time which has annoyingly become a staple of actions films post-Matrix. While the 300-esque camera filter occasionally distracts, the uncomplicated action brings a fresh air to what is admittedly a tired genre.
The settings are great, it’s thematically simple and the biblical card isn’t overplayed.
That’s the good, what about the bad…?
Where the film falls down is Denzel ‘Mumbles-A-Lot’ Washington’s take on a largely uninspired character. It is only fair to recognise that Mr Mumbles spent 30 years roaming the deserted plains of America. Who’s going to feel sociable after that?
The ‘strong silent hero’ role marks a clear nod to a litany of films including Sergio Leone’s ‘Dollars Trilogy’ – ‘The Man with No Name’ wasn’t really the talking type either.
Cast your mind back to Clint Eastwood’s masterful depiction of the complex gunslinger. Eastwood achieved emotional resonance through action, not words. Washington, on the other hand, phones-in a lacklustre performance, mumbling his way through the majority of a pedestrian script.
The character’s isolated nature prevents any meaningful relationships being formed with the film’s other players. Subsequently, I found it hard to sympathise or relate to Mr Mumbles.
As good an actor as Washington is, his stilted performance packs more wood than the entirety of Pinocchio’s upper body.
Speak up Mr Mumbles…
The Book of Eli is a mixed bag of fruit. While the general audience may struggle to embrace it, there is more than enough to raise a half-smile on the faces of post-apocalyptic film fans.
But please, what’s with the mumbles?
Rating: 
– available on Blu-ray and DVD
Related Posts
- No related posts found
Ross Wheatley
12:23 pm, August 1, 2010
I concur with every spoken word on this review, Matt. Whilst the post-apocalyptic is a tiring genre, ‘Mr Mumbles’ really doesn’t help the cause. Now I’m usually a big fan of Denzel Washington’s work, however he does disappoint greatly throughout this particular script. Another article bang on the money!
Sabriah
12:28 pm, August 13, 2010
This is a rubbish film and i wouldn’t recommend it to anyone to watch. However i do usually like films which use the post-apocalyptic genre, it’s usually exciting. This was a fail.
jordans
10:31 am, September 18, 2010
Hmm, that’s some compelling information! I would search on Google to find other similar articles. Actually, I came across your blog on Google Blog Search. I’m going to add your RSS feed to my reader. Continue posting please!
Treth
8:07 am, October 28, 2010
not agree me tink book of eli was so good; i like all denzel movies
Austin C
6:08 am, November 25, 2010
No BS and written well, thanks much for the info
Tilda Wolbert
4:12 pm, November 25, 2010
Most of the blogs online are pretty much the same but i honestly enjoyed what i read. Bravo !
movies for free to watch online
7:00 am, November 26, 2010
Well, the article is really the freshest topic on this related issue. I concur with your conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your approaching updates. Just saying thanks will not just be adequate, for the great lucidity in your writing. I will at once grab your rss feed to stay privy of any updates.
Santina Belfi
8:37 am, November 27, 2010
Some really nice stuff on this internet site , I like it.
James Salamon
8:48 am, November 27, 2010
Hey 48lrvh, very interesting post, it really got me thinking. Thank you. 7xnes
Carmella Marchuk
10:55 pm, November 27, 2010
I really like your writing style, excellent info , thankyou for posting : D.
Brooke Tompsett
9:53 am, November 29, 2010
I am new to your blog and just spent about 1 hour and 30 minutes reading. I think I will frequently visit your blog from now on. I will definitely learn a lot from them.
gallagher
3:39 am, December 1, 2010
How-do-you-do, just needed you to know I have added your site to my Google bookmarks because of your extraordinary blog layout. But seriously, I think your site has one of the freshest theme I’ve came across. It really helps make reading your blog a lot easier.
wendall
6:35 am, December 2, 2010
Heya! Useful blog post! I’m also a daily visitor to your site (whole lot like addict
) on your website – awesum review
Wilber Soibelman
5:54 pm, December 2, 2010
I enjoyed this post and also wanted to point out that I definitely like the design and feel of your web site. I am employing wordpress as well on my blog but have been looking for a template like this which is considerably superior than what I have. I see the theme is listed about the footer so I will take a far better look at it.
pres
5:13 am, December 3, 2010
I really like finding internet sites which comprehend the value of furnishing a good resource for absolutely free.
otomy
5:53 am, December 3, 2010
found your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later
Jake Schulkin
9:50 pm, December 4, 2010
I enjoy your writing style truly enjoying this site.
courseface
11:40 pm, December 4, 2010
Hello Blogger, I am pleased you wrote that article!!! good job!
Jessica
1:22 pm, December 6, 2010
Naturally, what an excellent site and useful posts, I’ll add backlink – bookmark this site? Regards, Reader.
Melinda Viveros
3:23 am, December 7, 2010
Thanks for this post, I am a big fan of this web site would like to keep updated.
maria andros
5:03 pm, December 7, 2010
Great work keep it coming, best blog on earth
Cayla Kravetsky
3:43 pm, December 8, 2010
Deference to author , some superb information .
Jerri Laura
1:27 pm, December 9, 2010
hello thanks for the reading.
Isabelle
4:13 pm, December 9, 2010
I found your blog on yahoo. I think it’s awesome.
Alpha male
4:26 pm, December 19, 2010
Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write on my site something like that. Can I include a portion of your post to my site?
regcure
5:14 am, December 26, 2010
You made some fine points there. I did a search on the issue and found mainly people will consent with your blog.
Deangelo
5:18 pm, December 26, 2010
I just wanted to comment and say that I really enjoyed reading your blog post here. It was very informative and I also digg the way you write! Keep it up and I’ll be back to read more in the future
the family guy
2:38 pm, December 30, 2010
I’m really Glad i found this site.Added creativepen.co.uk to my bookmark!
Mayra Veronica
3:35 pm, December 30, 2010
This is like my third time coming by your site. Regularly I do not make comments on, but I have to mention that this article really pushed me to do so. Really awesome article!
Regeneriersalz
12:21 pm, January 7, 2011
Not agree on several issues but the whole thing, so impressive. Successful year!
Mae Bentley
7:28 pm, January 10, 2011
Whatsup dog?
Just saying hi…
Gotta stop lurking
Hehe!
Billye
8:49 pm, January 10, 2011
Keep working ,great job!
Arlette Alario
10:56 pm, January 10, 2011
Hello, what a fantastic material in your website listed here
Paulene Paget
10:26 pm, January 16, 2011
Great article. Waiting for more.
Michelina Hillstrom
12:39 am, January 24, 2011
Real nice design and style and great content material , absolutely nothing else we need : D.