In an industry brimming with stories of redemption, it can be challenging for filmmakers to craft a narrative that feels fresh and engaging. Liam Neeson’s latest endeavor, “Absolution,” directed by Hans Petter Moland, grapples with this issue as it rehashes common tropes associated with gangster redemption arcs. While Neeson, an actor renowned for his commanding presence, does indeed captivate on screen, the film ultimately appears to fall short. In this analysis, I will explore the film’s narrative structure, character development, and thematic elements, criticizing its adherence to clichés and lack of depth.
Plot Overview: A Familiar Narrative Arc
At the heart of “Absolution” lies a quintessential father-daughter dynamic, which has often been showcased across various cinematic works. Neeson portrays an aging gangster, known only as Thug—a moniker that evokes a stringent and reductive characterization. Upon learning of his terminal illness, Thug embarks on a quest for redemption, seeking to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Daisy. The plot thickens with the involvement of crime and the disintegration of familial bonds, yet the overall storyline feels painfully reminiscent of countless predecessors.
Neeson’s proverbial clock is ticking down, but despite the emotional weight that terminal illness could evoke, the narrative fails to dive deep beneath the surface. The film’s pacing drags, compounded by subplots that are awkwardly intertwined, leaving the audience feeling more like passive observers than active participants in Thug’s journey.
Characterization: Underdeveloped and One-dimensional
Supporting characters in “Absolution” also suffer from a lack of depth. Daisy, played by Frankie Shaw, is largely relegated to the role of a struggling single mother who works as a stripper—a choice that perpetuates negative stereotypes within the killing framework of a redemption story. Instead of fully exploring her character as a complex individual grappling with her circumstances, the film opts for surface-level interactions and dialogues that fail to resonate.
Moreover, the representation of marginalized groups falls short. The film’s handling of LGBTQ themes, particularly the revelation of Thug’s son’s struggles with addiction and identity, is disappointing at best. The tragedy of his death is treated more as a plot twist than as a genuine exploration of the biases faced by LGBTQ individuals, thereby undermining the potential for a meaningful narrative.
Women and LGBTQ characters seem to function more as plot devices in “Absolution” than as fully realized figures with their own agency. For instance, a subplot involving human trafficking is introduced but ultimately treated with an unsettling casualness that diminishes the gravity of the issue. Such narratives could hold immense significance, yet the film squanders these opportunities by drifting away from genuine societal critique. This reinforces the notion that the film is less about the lived experiences of its characters and more about advancing Thug’s personal story.
Furthermore, Neeson’s character perpetuates rhetoric that is unflattering and problematic—acknowledging his discomfort with his son’s gay identity feels both rushed and superficial. His subsequent allegations of regret over not being present in his son’s life ring hollow due to the film’s failure to substantiate these feelings through action or introspection.
While “Absolution” does present aesthetically pleasing views of Boston, rich in texture and atmosphere, this visual dynamism does not compensate for the narrative’s stagnancy. The fleeting moments of excitement, such as shootouts, lack grounding in context or substance; they feel disjointed and inadequately integrated into the overall work.
This dichotomy of visual appeal contrasted with a lackluster narrative encapsulates the primary dilemma of “Absolution.” Ultimately, the film presents a case study of cinematic potential that, by failing to fully realize its characters and themes, falls into the abyss of forgettable storytelling.
“Absolution” is, in essence, a film that highlights the risks of relying on worn-out tropes within the genre of crime and redemption. While Neeson delivers a competent performance, the lack of depth in character development, unfulfilled narrative arcs, and missed thematic opportunities render the film a disappointment. As audiences seek authentic storytelling that reflects the complexities of modern life, “Absolution” stands as a cautionary tale about the importance of originality and emotional resonance in cinema. Perhaps it’s a call for filmmakers to strive for more than mere surface-level redemption narratives in future works.