re:mote voices

Title: Man On Fire

Cast: Denzel Washington, Radha Mitchell, Dakota Fanning, Christopher Walken, Mickey Rourke

Director: Tony Scott

It may well just be because of the fact that Man On Fire is set in Mexico that I think this, but it wouldn’t surprise me to find that Tony Scott had been influenced by recent South American successes like the Brazilian City Of God, or indeed the Mexican Amores Peros. For me there are certain stylistic and kinetic echoes from those two films which are reflected in the approach to Man On Fire. Which strangely seems to have been a source of criticism for some people, while was very much a component of the hype those films generated.

Like so many films, Man On Fire is based on a novel, which was written by A.J. Quinnell and has been adapted into a screenplay by Brian Helgeland. Denzel Washington takes on the lead role as an ex-covert agent – with years of experience into counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism style activities. However those years are behind him, and as Creasy he has started to drink heavily. However that does not preclude him taking on the role of bodyguard in Mexico. Mexico City has seen a rise in kidnapping, such that most families past a certain level have taken out insurance against the abduction of family members. The family in question find that their renewal date is coming up, and having lost their previous bodyguard to higher wages, they will find it difficult to renew. Which makes an alcoholic ex-agent cheap and just the job.

Of course the plan is Creasy turns up and satisfies Lisa (Radha Mitchell: High Art/Pitch Black) the American wife of the Mexican business man, who considers the locals to be corrupt. And protects their daughter Pita (Dakota Fanning), long enough to renew the policy. However Pita wears away at Creasy’s melancholy until, reluctantly, the pair have formed a bond. Which is of course is unfortunate for the kidnappers when Pita is actually kidnapped. Creasy manages to kill 4 attackers before being incapacitated. Waking up in hospital he is told Pita is dead – the hand over of the ransom went wrong – and that he is suspected of being part of the kidnapping, since two of the men he killed were actually police officers.

From there Creasy is a Man On Fire, determined to get revenge, no matter what. Egged on by a local reporter who is only to happy to see Creasy go up against the corrupt police brotherhood and the criminal underground. With Tony Scott launching into the more pronounced graphics and cuts as Creasy goes off, layering in text and flashing colours. Much of which is underscored and brought to life by the soundtrack constructed by Harry Gregson-Williams, who makes his presence felt throughout the film.