Review of Redbelt Movie

When creating a story, David Mamet, like Michael Mann, has a way of delving into the inner core of his characters. What makes them who they are, what personal code do they adhere to in the face of adversity. The movie Redbelt is a case study of such a man.

Mike Terry, (Chiwetel Ejiofor, Inside Man, Serenity) a jiu-jitsu master and owner of his own dojo, is just barely keeping it afloat and ahead of the creditors and mounting bills. Standing stedfast, Mike prefers to keep the arts pure, rather than sell out to a diluted, commercialized version, tainting the arts. Thankfully, his wife Sondra (Alice Braga, I Am Legend, Crossing Over) is able to keep him afloat the best she can with her own seamstress business, but the strain it causes between the two is present.

A chain of events, almost as if fate has chosen Mike to test his mettle, directs him closer and closer to the very thing he is avoiding. A woman, lost in the neighborhood, enters the dojo. An unfortunate circumstance ensues, which also costs money the school can’t afford. A visit to a nightclub and his brother in law for a loan brings Mike into contact with Chet Frank, (Tim Allen, Mr. Tool Time himself from the TV show Home Improvement) an actor with a chip on his shoulder. Bad Incident #2, moving him closer down the undesired path.

A dinner invite and a gold watch from Chet Frank may sound like a nice ‘thank you’, but it contains loaded ramifications. A present that brings fatal consequences for all parties directly or indirectly involved. A business partnership and deal for Sondra that doesn’t materialize as believed, costing more money that Mike and Sondra do not have in their possession. A stack of bills that won’t go away on their own. And the heavy guilt of everything that has transpired weighing on Mike’s shoulders. And beneath it all, the call and beckon of a mixed martial arts tournament with a huge cash prize that would go a very long way in dissolving all the financial pressures and burdens requiring immediate answers.

At some point in our lives, we’ve had to swallow our pride, sacrifice our core beliefs and painfully go against the grain in order to advance forward. Mike Terry becomes one of us, and enters the tournament.

While warming up for his fight, Mike discovers things aren’t as they seem and regains his dignity and his personal code of honor to not sellout to commercialism. His awakening to the corrupt truth and resultant showdown (which is definitely worth watching more than once) against his brother in law and the system brings closure to what it means to deserve the prized red belt.

Anyone familiar with David Mamet’s movies will also realize things aren’t always on the level. Was it destiny that led Mike to the tournament, the unfolding circumstances, or was it a well conspired plan with a trail of bread crumbs leading Mike to his MMA decision? The end of the movie makes it all come together in more ways than one.

Look for MMA stars Randy Couture and Enson Inuoe who both have small acting roles.

The martial arts scenes in Redbelt are solid and real. No artificial sweeteners here. No wire fu or defy the laws of physics, gravity and motion type stuff. What you see can be studied and added to your own personal repertoire.

As any true practitioner will tell you, the martial arts isn’t always about fighting, and neither is Redbelt. It’s also about knowing when not to fight, and when to stand up for honor. Even the choice of the title has a deeper meaning. You never find out until the very end of the movie the significance of the red belt, which makes it all come together.

A very enjoyable movie, Redbelt is definitely worth the cost and viewing time.

Get It Now from Amazon.com: Redbelt
or Amazon.co.uk: Redbelt [DVD] [2008]