The Book of Eli – A walk through the valley of the shadow of death
The last time that the Hughes Brothers ventured into moviemaking was 2001, when Johnny Depp played a cockney opium enthusiast in the underrated From Hell. They kept a low profile afterwards, until a script titled The Book of Eli showed up and attracted studio interest.
The twins were brought on board, and their ability to tackle the visual and the emotional would be key to the film’s successful transition from script to screen.
Denzel Washington plays Eli, a man heading west through a post-apocalyptic wasteland; he has nothing more than a backpack, a mysterious book and some Matrix-style combat skills. When a gang attempt to trap him, he dispatches them in an extraordinary fashion. One assailant is warned by Eli, “If that hand touches me again, you will lose it”. Needless to say the man calls Eli’s bluff, and does not fare too well.
Eli’s travels bring him to a town that is operating as a primitive society, with an aggressive but educated man called Carnegie (Gary Oldman) running the show. Eli’s dogged persistence to travel west with his book is matched by Carnegie’s desire to find the exact same item. Carnegie, unaware of Eli’s possession, bears witness to his incredible combat skills, and attempts to recruit him, offering a luxury lifestyle and constant clean water. But Eli is unflinching and resolute in his mission, and he declines, although agreeing to a single night’s stay.
Carnegie offers his step-daughter Solara (Mila Kunis) as a further temptation for the skilled fighter to remain in the town, but Eli is not forthcoming. However, during their meeting Eli reads from the book and Solara picks up a few words. The following day, she unwittingly recites them back in Carnegie’s presence and he realises that the book he seeks is in the town, and in the possession of Eli.
Aware of a potentially precarious situation, Eli escapes the town and continues his quest, with a hot-headed Carnegie on his trail.
Saying that there is a religious subtext to this film would be an understatement, but those who do not follow religion, or indeed denounce it, can still enjoy this film. It can be viewed as much about faith as it is about religion, and faith comes in many forms. Atheists can still have faith in a given situation; faith that a sick person can get better, or faith that a missing person will be found. Faith is surely a concept that can be demonstrated by those who do not necessarily believe in God or a higher power; it can simply be faith that good will overcome, and this is a positive and universal concept.
The Book of Eli is shot with a glorious grey-metallic finish, which gives the film an utterly convincing and breathtaking post-apocalyptic landscape. Whilst Waterworld went bonkers with the sets, props and clothes, The Book of Eli favours a more subtle approach with the focus directed at dialogue and only a handful of action sequences. Nevertheless, the action, though sparing, is immense, and Denzel’s hand-to-hand or blade-to-face combat excursions are a joy to watch.
Denzel and Oldman are brilliant and certainly add necessary gravitas and authenticity to the film; lesser actors would have screwed it up. Eli is portrayed as such a pillar of strength, and he believes that he is guided and protected on his seemingly endless journey. The fact that he could give Jet Li a run for his money is simply a bonus. It is worth noting that Eli has a very interesting secret, and one that only the most eagle-eyed viewer would spot before the big reveal at the end.
Oldman’s Carnegie is yet another demonstration of the British actor’s brilliance; he never fails to impress and deserves his reputation as one of the finest in the business. Carnegie is wannabe tyrant, and one of the few educated men left in the world which makes him even more dangerous.
The movie’s structure is interesting; the last half hour involves almost no conflict or action, but is in fact a beautiful resolution to the story. The two hour running time zips past, but Eli only ever seems in real danger once. A typical action flick would place the protagonist in an array of near-fatal situations, and would certainly utilise some kind of overblown climactic ending.
The Book of Eli has received some negative press for alienating those who do not have some kind of devout belief in God, but this is a weak criticism. Horror movies are not watched exclusively by those planning to put on a mask and go around attacking people with a machete. Similarly, films about drug use are not necessarily watched by those who enjoy getting high.
The Book of Eli is an exciting, entertaining and well-executed stylish twist on the post-apocalyptic thriller. It challenges some standard conventions of storytelling, benefits from two leads of the highest calibre and looks absolutely gorgeous. Taglines such as “bELIeve” and “Deliver Us” have scared a few atheistic and agnostic punters off – if religious undertones are too much for you, remember it is just a film and it is not telling you what to think; The Book of Eli should not be judged by its cover, but instead by its content.
We saw it, and it was good…
Image: Freebestmovies
