Fracture [2007]

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Sir Anthony Hopkins trots out another psycho you'll hate to love in Fracture, a by-the-numbers legal thriller that's redeemed by electric performances from its two leads. Hopkins is on fine accent-bending, twinkle-eyed form as aeronautics engineer Ted Crawford, who has devised the perfect way to bump off his cheating wife. Ryan Gosling positively crackles as Willy Beachum, the cocky public prosecutor looking to add Crawford to his long list of successful convictions, before moving into the lucrative world of corporate law.

Despite the glossy look and audience-friendly pacing, it's Hopkins and Gosling's charisma-duelling that provides the film's biggest reward. Apart, they're enjoyable enough, but when they get together to butt intellects -- with Hopkins at his most impish -- things really come to life. Given that Crawford is a rich, sneering murderer and Beachum is a swaggering money-hungry upstart, you'd be forgiven for wondering why you should care at all. This is, after all, an alienating world of elite high-rollers. Not even Rosamund Pike, as Gosling's highly-strung legal eagle love interest elicits any sympathy. But Hopkins and Gosling imbue their characters with such undeniable charm that you could actually end up rooting for either. Without the chemistry, you'd be left with a clever, well-crafted but ultimately empty thriller. It hides its final twist well, but the true triumph is in the casting. --Luke Mawson

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Customer reviews

review by: skirrow22 date: 2008-07-30 rating:
A masterful fracture
I'd just finished reading Karin Slaughter's book of almost the same name when this dvd popped through my letterbox so I initially thought - obviously mistakenly - that some film producer was ahead of the game!

As a thriller the film works well but only because of Anthony Hopkins as the lead criminal (if proven guilty, of course) and the attempt by a young legal hotshot, Ryan Gosling, to do just that.

Frankly, this would have been a run-of-the-mill made-for-tv film but for these two. Anthony Hopkins is magnificent as an aircraft engineer turned wife-killer who is determined to beat the rap.

I puzzled throughout the film until the answer was revealed just what he had done with the gun he used to kill his wife. Except she didn't die but more than that would reveal the ending. I have to confess, I did work out how the legal eagle could convict the killer and was delighted to see that is what happened - but the gun? Excellent!

I lobbed a star because young Mr. Gosling mumbles and I missed understanding what he was saying quite a lot. Maybe the sound was bad or maybe he should have elocution lessons. Either way, it spoilt the film a little for me.

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review by: date: 2008-06-09 rating:
Okay film
Rented this film because it had Anthony Hopkins in it. It's a murder suspense with a twist. Hopkins has shot his wife but can he be convicted?

The film works reasonably. There's no bad acting (although Hopkins is patchily Irish- you'll see). The script is okay and the characters are reasonably well developed. It's just all a bit flat.

However on a warm Sunday evening the family watched the film and quite enjoyed it. My advice- watch it while doing something else (e.g. reading the paper) and don't expect a classic.

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review by: martin thomas date: 2008-06-06 rating:
so boring it hurts
you know this film is going to be rubbish cause its got sir antony hopkins playing yet another variation of hannibal lecter.this is boring,bland,predictable, and so pointless

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review by: Angie B date: 2008-05-29 rating:
Any film with Anthony Hopkins very good
The story line was good but the how he does it & why is clear to see from half way through the film. The ending was not a shock but still a good film and worth a watch.


review by: date: 2008-05-08 rating:
Hopkins versus Gosling in The Mystery of the Disappearing Prosecution
It is not spoiling the plot of Fracture to say from the outset that Ted Crawford (Anthony Hopkins) shot his wife. A seemingly pedestrian case for the prosecution, representing the last trial for Deputy D.A. Willy Beachum (Ryan Gosling) before he heads off for a grand new job, evolves rapidly into a nightmare.

The case soon starts to crumble, with Beachum's future career likely to follow suit. It is clear that Crawford, defending himself, is a far more able opponent than the Deputy D.A. had planned on. The crystal clear case against the defendant is soon shattered - leaving the prosecutor bereft of a useable confession or even the possession of the murder weapon!

Fracture is part-legal drama, but also partly a story of psychological development. Initially, the viewer is probably rather pleased to see Hopkin's character devastate the arrogant Beacham's evidence. Yet, later in the film, we see the prosecutor become a far more likeable person, and perhaps wish for him to eventually nail his target. It's a film about law, honesty, revenge and compassion. Although the central premise revolves around the mindgames Hopkin's is playing, the film is also effective at generating emotions in the viewer.

The film is not really an action movie, despite the occasional physical drama. However, if you want something more cerebral and wish to avoid stereotypical legal fiction, it is highly recommended. The DVD does not really contain any great shakes in the way of extras. It doesn't really need them. Just sit down and enjoy the film.

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Similar categories

Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Drama
Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Crime, Thrillers & Mystery . All Crime, Thrillers & Mystery
Video . DVD & VHS . Substores . Regular Stores . DVD Bargains . By Price . From £4.97 . DVDs from £4.97
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . DVD
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . BBFC Rating (intended_use_browse-bin) . 15
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Editions (feature_two_browse-bin) . Standard Edition
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Region(feature_browse-bin) . Region 2
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Release Date (feature_three_browse-bin) . 2000 and later
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Language (theme_browse-bin) . English

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