Padraig too ethnic for the main site, or did you change your name?

hehe, i decided i didn't want people mangling my real name when they try to say it.

Exceptional execution of most aspects of filmmaking - the cinematography, locations, and acting are all top notch. Unfortunately, the true flaw of the film is in the screenplay which isn't satisfying nor convincing. As the credits role, it seems like the film's message is rather contrived and leaves one with a foul taste. Unfortunately, it isn't nearly as good as it could be (in spite of a fantastic first fifteen minutes, which are executed brilliantly...). I recommend it to those interested in enjoying a skillful, mostly engaging, stylistic approach to filmmaking but aren't afraid to accept a flawed discussion.

B-

wow. This is exactly what I thought of the movie! I gave it a C+

I also freakishly kind of exactly agree.

Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling were both very good, and the battle of wits between Crawford and Willy was really fun to watch, but the script has problems. The movie itself is also rather slight; not a whole lot goes on by the end. Still, though, it's a diverting movie. B-

It seems like everything is already said that needs to be said.

Was originally going to see Vacancy, but we decided against it since now's not the time for a movie like that. There are script problems, but it does remain interesting most of the time. Both Hopkins and Gosling are outstanding, as always. B-

Hmmm.

Well, I loved it.

A-

To me, the acting and the really, really, really good cinematography (for this type of film) is what carried the film.

B

The only reason to see this movie (and the only reason it's not currently rotting away as a DTV Blockbuster Exclusive) is for Gosling and Hopkins.

The end.

Ho-hum -- yet another movie that I didn't hear enough raves for. Geez! You guys are lettin' me down in the advance warning system department. Not that I read reviews before seeing movies, but I detected zero buzz around Fracture here at WOKJ...

As it turns out, it's almost a complete knock-off of Columbo -- and that's a good thing! It's just a shame they didn't go whole hog and steal the Columbo formula outright -- but then again, this particular spin on that formula is super sweet. David Pyne, the storywriter threw a perfect curve ball and struck out my preconceptions.

Nonetheless, I'd absolutely love to see more episodes of the Willy Beachum D.A. Mysteries (WBDAM) series of movies -- and there's no better man for the job than the director of Fracture -- Gregory Hoblit -- don't remember him? Well he directed two -- yep, ya read that right -- two -- recent classic films: Frequency and Primal Fear. Those are both seriously quality pieces of thrilling story-driven entertainment. The WBDAM series can carry on that tradition, and should feel free to blindside Columbo and just rob him openly -- take the full disclosure opening - murder seen by viewer, and also carry on with superior guest murderers after the great start with Anthony Hopkins. Seriously, it would be great.

Fracture is a really, really good mystery movie.

7 out of 5.

B+. I enjoyed it, other than the storyline. it sucked.

In order to assess your opinion... let me quote an expert:

well i mean come on, X3 better than both X1 and X2. I mean maybe better than 1 can be argued but X2 is amazing.

Consistently good but never great. The only reason why the film is what it is and not darting into cheesy B-movie territory is because of Gosling and Hopkins - just like everyone else has mentioned. Strathairn is good for a scene or two, but I thought he was underused, and I also like Rosamund Pike's performance. She was not as instantly forgettable here as she was when she was in Die Another Day.

The ending though is a little too flawed for it's own good. I think someone mentioned this here before, but if Hopkins is the evil genius we're supposed to believe he is and seemingly has all this knowledge of law, how could he overlook a detail like that?

B

It was decent, and the performances were good - it was just a bit dull, and as other posters said not much happened. There were also many disposable plot elements that weren't really resolved, such as the romantic aspect between Rosamund Pike and Ryan Gosling.

B-

What did you guys expect to happen? Anthony Hopkins to blow up a fucking blimp? The movie starts on a perfect note and kept going until exactly where it was no longer nessecary. I'm with bradley on this one - bring on WBDAM 2!

B+


A very solid courtroom thriller that is elevated above average by stellar performances courtesy of Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling (who is quickly turning into one of the most promising actors of his generations...big things are yet to come for him!). The chemistry between the two and their interaction is brilliant. Other than their performances there is not much to write home about other than a decently-crafted, but certainly not groundbreaking storyline of a seemingly perfect crime and an arrogant public prosecutor who faces a worthy nemesis and changes his perspective on his job. The "twist" at the end is cool and despite initially hating Gosling's character and thinking that he gets what he deserves, I still ended up rooting for him by the end of the movie. For what it is, the film delivers. Of course there are some inconsistencies and I wasn't quite fond of Rosamunde Pike's character being simply dropped at the end of the film, but overall it kept me invested throughout. I can't stress enough how big of a role the performances by Hopkins/Gosling played in the enjoyment of the film. Too bad it wasn't a bigger success.

B-

The disappointing screenplay offsets the brilliance of nearly everything else.

A very solid legal drama. Ryan Gosling delivers a strong performance, more than holding his own against the venerable Sir Anthony Hopkins, and it has considerable visual panache for the genre.

B

I still think it's one of the best of the year.

2 biggest problems

1. 3/4s of the film's running time is spent on Gosling, and while his acting is fine, the character is given nothing... AT ALL. The only inch of development is when Hopkins drills him on how he scummed his way to being a top lawyer. The Pike romance doesn't work. For the most part, Beachum is just kind of bland and you spend all those minutes waiting for the case details to pick up again.

2. Jmart mentioned it, but Hopkins as a genius planned this whole thing, yet he forgets the attempted murder vs full clause. There could've been much more creative and less lucky ways for Beachum to win.

Apart from that though, I really enjoyed myself. Very good crime mystery movie, always entertaining, and Hopkins is as good as ever. I solved the case via the gun switch at the hotel very early on, but still, it kept me intrigued. The whole thing was actually very well done, it's a strongly made film overall.

A-

Probably a higher grade than it deserves, but I really liked watching this. Kind of an old-school mystery noir film. We don't get enough of those.

I agree with your entire review, especially the bolded point. It seemed a rather convenient and sloppy way of wrapping up the movie. But that is a minor flaw because I really did enjoy this movie a lot, enough so to land it in my top 10 of the year at the moment.

A-

Finally, some people are coming around to the realization of this film's cleverness...