Redemption (2013)

Directed by: Steven Knight
Country: UK / USA

Review: “Redemption” is an action/thriller film that tells the story of Joey Jones (Jason Statham), a traumatized ex-soldier in Afghanistan war, who becomes homeless and starts begging in the streets of London. In a desperate attempt to run from a group of men who wanted to beat him, Joey enters in an empty apartment and steals the owner’s identity. A lucky strike that will give him strength to fight the London’s underworld crime and avenge his girlfriend’s death with the help of a young nun, Sister Cristina (Agata Buzek), who is also a survivor of her sad past. In terms of script, I must confess that I expected a lot more from debutant director Steven Knight, having in consideration his talented past as screenwriter, with works such as David Cronenberg’s “Eastern Promises” or Stephen Frears’ “Dirty Pretty Things”. The film was uninspired and occasionally messy, using a dark ambience to depict the scenes that were never exciting. The performances didn’t convince me either, particularly the Polish actress and former model Agata Buzek who played an awkward and unattractive character. The music by the Italian Dario Marianelli was the only aspect that stood out, creating a sort of tension that was never matched by what was happening on the screen. Unfunny, unstimulating, and emotionless, “Redemption” only stirred me up through its most violent scenes.