Redbelt movie review: One part anti-hollywood, one part MMA

by Adam Wagner on May 12, 2008 12:50 PM EDT Comment 33 comments

redbelt movie
I once said of Syriana — labeled as one of the smartest films of the last decade — "Just because it’s hard to follow, doesn’t mean it's smart."

Something similar can be said of David Mamet’s Redbelt. Just because it’s vague, doesn’t mean it’s Zen.

Redbelt follows jiu-jitsu master Mike Terry (Chiwetel Eliofor), who is down on his luck financially and forced — because of a strange series of events — to enter a mixed martial arts tournament run by manipulative, crooked promoters. Fighting for competition goes against Terry’s philosophy and integrity, but he must do it to save his dojo, as well as to satisfy several other debts he incurs during the course of the film.

Writer/director David Mamet (best known for writing the stage and screenplays for the brilliant Glengarry Glen Ross) spins a complex web of plot points — probably too complex for the length of the film. But Eliofor is outstanding as the lead actor, which makes the film interesting until the end.

It costars Tim Allen (who is surprisingly good as an aging action film star and boozehound), Alice Braga (Terry’s hardnosed, opportunistic wife), Max Martini (Terry’s prize pupil/police officer), Emily Mortimer (a frazzled lawyer whose inability to deal with a recent tragedy launches this entire series of events), Rodrigo Santoro (Terry’s corrupt brother-in-law), Joe Mantegna (a crooked Hollywood producer) and Ricky Jay (a crooked fight promoter).

It also features Randy Couture (as an MMA color commentator), Enson Inoue (as an MMA fighter), Jean Jacques Machado (as an MMA fighter), Rico Chiapparelli (as Sanchez, an MMA fighter) and Frank Trigg (as Sanchez’s corner man). Mike Goldberg cameos, as does Josh Rafferty from The Ultimate Fighter Season (TUF) 1 in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo.

Despite decent acting and many MMA notables, the film is filled with undeveloped storylines, many plants with no payoffs, and several limited conclusions. I still don’t know for sure why Laura Black (Mortimer) slaps Terry leading up to the film’s climax. And half the motivation for a central character’s suicide (i.e., problems at home) must have been left on the cutting room floor. At least, I’m hoping it was, because if it wasn’t included in the original script, Mamet’s plot has even more holes than I initially thought.

I was hoping the film would make up for its vagueness by including several kickass fight sequences. And while some of the fight sequences are good, I feel they could have been better ... or least there could have been more of them.

If you’re expecting a badass mixed martial arts film, you might be disappointed. Redbelt is more of a character study than it is a traditional martial arts film.

Although the film has several good one-liners, its dialogue often feels forced and clichéd. And while there are several interesting double-crosses, because the film only develops Terry’s character and leaves most of the remaining characters’ storylines largely underdeveloped, the motivation for some of these double-crosses is never fully understood.

Redbelt does shed a critical light on the backroom deals that Hollywood (and the promotion world in general) was built on. Although you can’t fit every one of its puzzle pieces together logically, its implied storytelling is largely anti-Hollywood, and for that I applaud it. Translation: It’s got brass balls, just the payoff might not be 100 percent fulfilled.

I’ve never been interested in watching a movie with director commentary, but this one could benefit from it.

Ultimately, Eliofor’s acting saves this film. And the climax, while very odd, was actually strangely satisfying to me.

Redbelt is everything Never Back Down isn’t, and vice versa. At the end of the day, that can only be a good thing. It’s worth my 10 bucks.

0 recs | Comment 33 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Might actually go see this. Glad I never saw Never back down

by RiverHorror on May 12, 2008 12:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i saw and even though i dont know you, im glad you never saw it either. it’s not worth renting on dollar day at the local video store.

by b.w. on May 12, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correction to one of my last week’s posts: I suggested that anyone not familiar with the greatest HW mma fighter of all time, Fedor, to go out and purchase the:
Hd Net presents….Fedor DVD that will be released in stores through out the USA tomorrow. Originally I stated that it was a best of Fedor DVD, but I learned that its not a best of Fedor compilation…Its actually the DVD of this past new years event when Fedor fought Hong Man choi…

So this leads me to believe that all the DREAM events will be released to DVD under an HDNet title…I am very excited (in my best BORAT voice) lol

by john on May 12, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was going to consider watching this movie at some point in my life, until I found out that TUF 1 alumni Josh Rafferty will be in the movie…LOL

Critics have given it good reviews!

by john on May 12, 2008 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

iv’e heard nothing but good reviews about this movie from the critics, but thanks for the inside info adam. there’s so many blockbuster movies coming out right now it probably wont do big at the box office, but w/ your review i will definetly rent it on dcd as soon as it hits, wich will probably be soon.

by b.w. on May 12, 2008 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I saw Iron Man this week end…It was unbelievable. I didn’t even want to see it, my wife and son wanted to, I think I liked it the most!

This red belt crap got good reviews, I’d rather watch a real fight or a documentary. sorry, just my opinion!

By the way, the new Hulk trailer looks great too!

by kevin on May 12, 2008 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah and tony stark is supposed to make a cameo in the new hulk movie. did you stay till the end of the credits of ironman. samuel l. jackson as nick fury asking about the “avengers” initiative. captain americas shield is also in one brief moment in ironman as well. ididnt catch that part but saw it on the net.

by b.w. on May 12, 2008 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, we stayed, can’t wait

by kevin on May 12, 2008 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

HATED the first Hulk movie. Dying to see Iron Man though. Would love an Avengers film. But who would play Thor? lol

by chefdaddy on May 13, 2008 7:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I got a question. If dream is Pride execs reviving pride, didn’t UFC get a no compete clause? Just a question, I’m not exactly sure who started dream, but if they keep putting shows like that on, it will grow into a pride like entity

by kevin on May 12, 2008 1:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Let me guess, this movie has nothing to do with an actual red belt in BJJ.

by bostonmmajunkie on May 12, 2008 1:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

YES, it does in the end. But, dont look at it as an achievement like a black belt, but rather as a sign of respect.

by Javster on May 12, 2008 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, in the world of the movie, there is only one red belt, which is worn by the Grand Master of the jiu-jitsu school to which the main character belongs.

by wagnerav on May 12, 2008 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Time to bring my son to school guys, I’ll check in in a bit, mania must be having technical difficulties or getting ready to post a new story, no threads have added new comments in 30 min. Be checking back for the breaking news in an hour
PEACE OUT!!

by kevin on May 12, 2008 1:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmm, kind of sounds like Karate Kid III when Daniel-San is forced to compete in the All-Valley tournament again so the bully guy can build his name and dojo by beating Daniel.

by PW on May 12, 2008 1:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Never back down felt like the “fast and the furious” for mma fans, HUGE BOOOO. IMO, Red belt felt more like “The Natural” for mma fans. I liked it, but then again maybe I’m just stupid, cause, Syriana really hurt my head.

by Jrandolph on May 12, 2008 1:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I wanna go see it. I wouldn’t even waste my time watching the “Never Back Down” previews. I would change the channel as soon as they would come on. I think b.w. is right though. It will struggle at the box office.

by Big Jake on May 12, 2008 1:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I saw this a few weeks ago and as i said before. MMA, is a small part of this movie. Its filled with betrayal and nasty backstabbing!!! i actually really liked it. Ending was, eh, kinda cool wth the homages paid. I defintely recommend seeing it, though. Lots of twists!

by Javster on May 12, 2008 2:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Saw it last night and I give it four out of four stars. Awesome movie.

by "Mr. NC-17" on May 12, 2008 2:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

…Saw the movie & it was great! – WARNING SPOILER ALERT: The reason why she slaps him in the face at the end was because – after he explains to her everything that has happened and will happen (she couldn’t believe that he was just going to walk away from it all without denouncing the promoter – hence why he runs back to make the corruption public) – from very early on he was a driving force in her life & helped her rebound from the rape, hence why the emoptional hug at the end of the movie.

For those who practice jiu-jitsu you will love this movie it has a lot of meaning & a deep story. It’s nice to see a movie that explores the spiritual meaning of jiu-jitsu.

by Angelupo on May 12, 2008 2:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

NEVER.BACK.DOWN .. YEAH!
-Djimon Honsou

by bostonmmajunkie on May 12, 2008 3:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Who cares. Let’s stick to talking bout fights and fighters instead of directors, storylines and fighters turned actors(which is about as cool as rappers turned actors). “A movie that explores the spiritual meaning of Jiu-Jitsu” – Jigga please, get over yourself, read a book or put on yer gi n get back to rolling. Movies, band wagon promoters/promotions n circus fights(Kimbo vs fat guys)are the new MMA.

by Benny S. on May 12, 2008 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

wow… Benny, your straight up gangsta!! let me guess.. your white, 5’8, 350 pounds, and nicknamed “the tuna can”??

by Javster on May 12, 2008 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right now Benny is going… WTF??? How’d he know?

by THORAZINE on May 12, 2008 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw Redbelt…what’s Never Back Down :) Who ever saw that movie should be hanged.

Anyhoo, Redbelt was ehhh. I practice BJJ and I write for an MMA website, but that doesn’t mean anything (as someone previously mentioned). I gave it a 6/10. Story was unexplained, gaps in the script, and the “other” acting was just OK. Ekafor (spelling?) was great though. It really was a decent movie and I’m glad I saw it, but I don’t know if everyone will like it. I probably could have saved my ten bucks….I don’t know. I probably should watch it again, I had a guy with Tourettes sitting in front of me, blurting out obscenities for the whole first half…..weird.

by Ryan McKinnell on May 12, 2008 5:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

5’8, 160, black as the night itself and no nickname, Javster.

by Benny S. on May 12, 2008 7:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

LMAO.

by chefdaddy on May 13, 2008 7:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought Red Belt was kinda weak. The camera work for the fights sucked. The characters were boring and the ending had problems. It seemed to me that it was an editing problem. Kinda like they had all the elements but they didnt connect as well as they should have, especially with the ending. I saw Never Back Down and at least it was entertaining and the characters were well developed even though it took place in a High School/College setting. It pains me to say that Never Back Down was a better movie than Red Belt but well…it was in my opinion.

Kinda funny that people dis Never Back Down with out seeing it. I’ve seen both films and some may differ with my opinion but at least I’m commenting after seeing both movies.

by GodannarJunkie on May 12, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’ve been a longtime follower of Mamet films, but after Redbelt, I’ve decided I’ll never watch another. The points in the review were all dead on. Also, the tieing one limb up for a fight is the stupidest thing ever, and the Josh Rafferty cameo as an MMA insider acted as a ‘spit in the face’ of any real MMA fan who knows anything.

by jess on May 12, 2008 9:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought redbelt was pretty good.SPOILER ALERT! I didn’t inderstand why Terry didn’t just say fuck you, and made those bastards pay him $200 grand for his idea they stole. The whole reason he didn’t do that was so the cop wouldn’t get blackmailed. But since he died anyway he could have got the money with out having to fight. Then everyone could have done the honorable thing and told the truth.

by mattchupichu on May 12, 2008 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No the reason Terry didn’t go forward with the trail was that they were going to prosecute his lawyer with attempted murder of a cop not because of the cop and the watch. This movie sucked it was confusing as hell didn’t tie anything in and Randy Couture’s name was Dylan. What the hell kind of name is Dylan for one of the best heavy weights in MMA.