Never push a good man too far
2017-09-28
$35.0M
113 min
Quan is a humble London businessman whose long-buried past erupts in a revenge-fueled vendetta when the only person left for him to love – his teenage daughter – dies in an Irish Republican Army car bombing. His relentless search to find the terrorists leads to a cat-and-mouse conflict with a British government official whose own past may hold the clues to the identities of the elusive killers.
Jackie Chan just keeps fuckin' bringing it doesn't he?
The serious tone of The Foreigner fits him well, but the role he plays seems oddly shoehorned in. I understand that the movie is in actual fact based on a novel called The Chinaman, which I assume unfolds more or less as the film does. But the Troubles-themed Political Drama makes up most of the runtime in The Foreigner, and the Action/Revenge Thriller element seems almost like at some point in pre-production the crew went "Holy shit, did you know we can put Jackie Chan in this? Quickly! Write him a role!". Although I'm sure that it's not the case, that is how it feels, and while the Action/Revenge Thriller element is the best part of the movie, its failure to mesh with the piece at large does bring it all down a bit.
Still a worthwhile watch if you're a fan of the Chan.
Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole.
The Foreigner (2017) is an intense mix of action and political thriller, with Jackie Chan stepping into a more serious and dramatic role than usual. The plot follows a grieving father seeking justice, but instead of the straightforward revenge story you might expect, it leans into a complex web of political intrigue. This shift adds depth but also slows the pacing at times, making it feel like two different movies competing for attention. The directing by Martin Campbell is solid, keeping the tension high, but the balance between action and drama doesn’t always hit perfectly. The cinematography is grounded, with a darker, more realistic tone that fits the story well, though it lacks any particularly standout visual moments.
Jackie Chan delivers one of his best dramatic performances, showing vulnerability alongside his usual action skills, while Pierce Brosnan gives a strong performance as a conflicted political figure. The action sequences are brutal and effective, favoring realism over flashy choreography, which works for the film’s tone. The script is decent, though some parts feel underdeveloped, especially when juggling the personal and political elements. The score does its job without being particularly memorable, keeping the tension in check. Overall, The Foreigner is a well-made thriller with great performances and solid action, but it might leave you wanting a bit more from its story.
