16 Blocks

This well-directed (Richard Donner), gritty, action thriller stars Bruce Willis and Mos Def as a cop and a petty crim turned witness who have to survive a journey of 16 Blocks from the lock-up to the court house.

The plot: Jack Mosley (Willis) is an aging, usually drunken and decrepit cop just trying to make it to the end of his life. One day, because the assigned cop is stuck elsewhere, his lieutenant makes him take a last job - for overtime: he has to get small-time and somewhat simple crook Eddie Bunker (Def) 16 blocks to testify to a grand jury.

The trip is obviously not going to be as simple as it sounds, but could have been so much easier if Mosley just hadn't decided to stop and buy that bottle of booze. Coming out of the liquor shop he sees and shoots a guy trying to kill Bunker. Then all hell breaks loose as he and Bunker flee a torrent of lead from corrupt cops trying to stop the testimony that will unravel their decades of crime.

In summary: This film isn't exactly inspired with plot twists or even the tired old corrupt cops as bad guys. But still, it comes solidly from the great school of teaching about the empowering and life-giving force of redemption. It also tells the story well and keeps the pace up throughout - something Donner has proven he can do well time and again.

The Casablanca connection: Well, Rick did profess that his nationality was 'a drunkard', and Mosley certainly fits that bill. Both men hid from the world and faced that one decision that would turn the forces of evil against them, from which both would secure redemption. They both also had the compatriot - Louis in Rick's case, and Eddie for Jack. Stories of redemption can often be the most powerful.

The rating: 7.5 out of 10. While the plot is not exactly inspired, the acting is very good. Willis is pretty believable and the story of redemption is credible - it's all about making the decision to change.

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