Judy Frimpong
Staff Writer
You have 118 minutes to get a witness 16 blocks. A piece of cake, right? Wrong. In the action-drama 16 Blocks, the main characters find that reaching the destination is a lot harder than it seems.
Detective Jack Mosley, played by Bruce Willis, is an aging alcoholic who seems to have given up on life and the justice system. One day, he is assigned to take witness Eddie Bunker, played by Mos Def, 16 blocks to a courthouse to testify against some criminals. However, the journey is made more difficult when a multitude of New York police officers try to prevent Eddie from testifying when it is revealed that the criminals are some of their own. Despite being the enemies of the NYPD, Eddie and Jack are determined to do what is right even if that means risking their lives.
16 Blocks is directed by Richard Donner who was also the director of the Lethal Weapon series, Free Willy and Superman among others. He has had previous experience with this kind of movie genre so in a sense the movie already had an advantage.
One other advantage was Willis’s role. This is not the first time that the audience has seen Willis as a police officer and there is little doubt that this will be the last.
Screenwriter Richard Wenk, who has also written for Joel Silver and Jerry Bruckheimer, is responsible for the creation of Willis’s character Jack. Jack is described as a “self-medicated individual” who does not care about anyone.
One of his lines in the movie is, “I believe that life’s too long and people like you make it longer.” It shows that he has lost any meaning and hope in his life.
“Jack is hiding from himself,” Willis remarks in the 16 Blocks production notes. In the past Jack behaved in a way that he believes was inappropriate and his behavior haunts him for the rest of his life. He does not believe people can move beyond their mistakes. This attitude toward life greatly contrasts the attitude of Def’s character.
Even though Eddie Bunker is a criminal, he has a positive outlook on life. He is a believer of signs, and he believes that Jack was sent to escort him for a reason. He is also passionate about proving to Jack that it is possible for people to change.
In the movie he repeats the line, “people can change.” “Not only does he prove he can change, but this kid who believes in signs and second chances changes the life of a man who has lost his hope and doesn’t believe in anything,” observes Richard Wenk in the production notes.
The relationship that Jack and Eddie build throughout the movie proves to hold strong against the antagonist Frank Nugent, played by David Morse. He is the police officer that you love to hate, and you cannot wait to see fall. He is unwavering and resilient and he keeps Jack and Eddie on their toes.
Eddie and Frank are like the angel and devil of Jack’s conscience. Eddie tries to convince Jack of change while Frank tries to keep Jack tied down by his old ways.
Even when Jack believes that the “line” has been crossed, Frank replies, “There are no lines. There’s getting it done and not getting it done. You put the bad guys away no matter what it takes.” Though there are two voices of Jack’s conscience, only he can decide what the right thing to do is.
The movie, set in what is known as “real-time,” is fast-paced and enjoyable. 16 Blocks is comprised of action, drama and adventure with a hint of comedy and moments of tenderness.
Although the movie is quick-moving, do not expect to be surprised. The plot is similar to other “good cop/bad cop” movies. There is nothing shocking about the plot and most of the scenes are predictable. However, if you are not expecting too much and you just want to see a good movie then 16 Blocks should not be too far down on your list.
It is a touching and exciting story about how two completely different people can change with each other’s help.
07-13-2006
