Content Warning: The article below mentions sexual assault and rape.
TheRicochetorigin story gets even better, asDekker recalls hearing that the movie was “too grim” for Eastwood.
Its attempt at being provocative no longer holds up.
Image by Zanda Rice
Yet, the effort is endearing.
A District Attorney is terrorized by the criminal he put away years ago when he was a cop.
What Is ‘Ricochet’ About?
A District Attorney is terrorized by the criminal he put away years ago when he was a cop.
His career is supercharged one night by a random encounter.
The killer is Earl Talbot Blake, played byJohn Lithgowin one of his many unhinged villain roles.
Styles foils Blake’s plans, and the humiliating arrest is caught on camera.
Styles becomes a legend, and Blake goes to prison.
‘The Equalizer’ and ‘Fences’ star plays someone you definitely do not want to cross.
Styles uses his fame to launch his career as a celebrated assistant district attorney.
Image via Warner Bros
About halfway through the film, the tables turn.
But what it lacks in length it makes up for in intensity.
Sadly, this rape storyline isnot treated with the gravity it deservesin the movie.
Everyone in Styles' life begins to assume the worst of him, including his own family.
How Does ‘Ricochet’ Stack Up Against Other Notably Dark Thrillers?
Which makes the fact this was reportedly given as Eastwood’s reason for opting out all the more curious.
One element that separatesRicochetfrom these other films is the nature of its protagonist.
InCape Fear,Nick Nolte’sSam Bowden is a flawed character who has genuinely wrongedRobert De Niro’sMax Cady.
Cady’s revenge exploits and exposes Bowden’s character flaws.
InRicochet, Styles is a do-gooder whose only flaw is that he’s too upright.
Surprisingly, it’s Kim, Blake’s adoring, Igor-like assistant.
Kim has a line in the film that stays with you.
I can’t wait to look."
It also sums up the movie and its overzealous tendencies efficiently.
ButRicochetis redeemed by exactly this kind of twisted silliness.
Its plot points are equally loud and colorful, and just as inauthentic.
But that’s what makes it fun.
As a cop, he randomly strips off his clothes to distract a hostage taker.
These aren’t notes you get to see Washington play all that often.
That alone is worth the price of admission.
Ricochetis currently available to stream on Max in the U.S.
WATCH ON MAX
