Nice Try, Sam...

by Thomas Willett

11:00pm PST, April 25, 2012

Samuel L. Jackson’s acting resume features over 140 titles. Since the 80’s, he has been appearing in movies ranging from small cameos to the tough guy lead. It is impressive that Jackson still manages to bring energy into most of his performances. He is often the standout in forgettable works just for trying. With his latest release, The Samaritan, does Jackson prove that he still has a strong ethic, or is he phoning one in?

Foley (Jackson) is a former grifter who just served 20 years in jail. The story picks up as he meets his former partner Ethan (Luke Kirby) to discuss his resignation. Along the way, a girl named Iris (Ruth Neega) becomes entangled in a web as Foley discovers that it isn’t that easy to walk away. The story progresses to feature a bizarre triangle between the three, with Foley planning on saving Iris from her troubled life.

At a brisk 90 minutes, there doesn’t seem to be too much fat. However, there isn’t really any complicated substance either. Despite an intriguing relationship dynamic, the story plays out in a familiar way. There aren’t any big set pieces or mysteries for the audience to indulge. The story seems to be fine with surface level characteristics. Even though it is forgettable, there isn’t anything to accuse of being done poorly.

What keeps this movie afloat is Jackson’s performance. While he isn’t playing the loud mouth that he is associated with, he gets to show his more dramatic side. His restraint as the plot thickens creates more of a tension that helps to set the mood nicely. It also helps that he carries a swagger that shouts cool without a single word. The simple presence of him is enough to hold attention.

If writers Elan Mastai and David Weaver had put a little more substance into the story, this could have been a great modern noir. They deserve some credit for cleverly tying in the title to a referenced passage about Samaritans. If there were some other subtle callbacks, it could have taken on a more complex, fulfilling outcome. However, their work is apt enough to make for an entertaining film where everything works out according to formula.

Luckily the script is saved by the supporting cast. Neega and Kirby manage to hold their own next to Jackson and buff this up from the amateurish feel. Neega, whose character features the most complexity in the story, is able to show her vulnerability while being strong and independent. She gives the whole story some reason to care. While Kirby isn’t that menacing, he plays a good villain and creates the animosity needed.

The Samaritan is far from a bad film, but it’s impossible to call it impressive. At 90 minutes, it hits all of the beats and leaves a satisfying ending. There is an impressive amount of energy brought to the story from the cast, elevating the intensity slightly. This is a solid effort, but one that only fans of the reliable Jackson persona should investigate. For those expecting a violent shoot ‘em up, look elsewhere. The mystery isn’t that strong, but it works within the context of the movie. If one thing should be taken away, it is hope that Ruth Neega and Luke Kirby’s talent will be soon rewarded with better stories.