by Bryan Mero Rating: 8 reels
The Book of Eli, directed by the Hughes Brothers (Menace II Society, From Hell) stars Denzel Washington as Eli. Eli is traveling West and taking with him a book. This is not any ordinary book, it is a banned book. A book that has great power. 30 years ago, the book was blamed for the war, collected and burned. It appears Eli has the last one. Carnegie (Gard Oldman) runs his own town and is an avid reader. He has one book that he really wants and Eli has it. He tries to use his step-daughter Solara (Mila Kunis) to obtain it but instead she is enthralled by Eli and what the book contains. The book is a King James Bible.
I can't go on without giving away the rest of the story. You would think that I've already spoiled the plot twists but there is much more to this movie. The story itself is based on a graphic novel and the Hughes Brothers really bring post-apocalyptic Ameria to a scary reality. Roaming gangs are killing and raping, hijackers are waiting along the roadside to steal and murder and town mayors (Carnegie) are more like dictators. All this is seen onscreen and in graphic detail. (Thus the R rating.)
For someone who reads the Bible everyday, as Eli does, what is his reaction to this constant threat of murder? He protects himself the best way possible with a sharp machete, hand gun, shotgun, bow and arrows. He does not look for trouble and is on a mission to deliver the book out west and with God's protection he moves on, one place at a time. He has faith and his knowledge of the Bible as his guide keeps him moving day after day.
Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman steal the movie when ever they are in a scene. Denzel never ceases to amaze me with his likability with the audience. Gary Oldman matches this acting talent in his own conniving dictatorship of his town. Oldman realizes the power the book Eli carries and wants to use it to rule with an iron fist. You can see his desperation for power in every scene. Jennifer Beals plays Claudia, Solara's mother, and was a strong prescence when paired up the Gary Oldman.
I have read some early reviews for The Book of Eli and reviewers seem to be upset over using The Bible as the book that can "heal a nation" or have "great power." This is somehow disturbing to them. The Bible has been used this way for centuries. Great power can be wielded two ways, for great goodness or for great evil. We get to see that first hand in Eli. Reviewers don't seem to complain when filmmakers use The Book of the Dead or other deemed "Satanic" book in movies. Why are they so opposed to the Bible? There seems to be a subtext of bias against the teachings of the Bible in Hollywood even though they use "religious" symbols and storylines from it all the time. With that said, this is not a perfect movie but it kept me routing for Eli and his mission.
Keep the little kids home for this one. The Book of Eli has a well deserved R rating due to graphic violence including (and not limited to) chopped off limbs and heads. There is quite a bit of harsh language, yet none out of Eli. Denzel makes it worth watching and the story of faith carries it to a possible continuing story. I definitely plan to see it again.
b.
