From the beginning, it is apparent that The Book of Eli is far from perfect. Intro scenes are extremely slow to start – almost stalling. The supporting cast is lackluster at best, playing out the predictable plot twists and action sequences.
By the end of the film, editors apparently have forgotten what happened in the beginning as they tie in an implausible character revelation.
While the film showcases the versatility of directors The Hughes brothers – who made their film debut at the age of 20 nearly 20 years ago with the ‘hood classic Menace II Society – it doesn’t do much else on their behalf.
Critics will pan it. Plenty of moviegoers will walk away from the film dazed and confused. But there is more to the film than meets the eye.
If viewers go in paying attention with intention, they will not be disappointed with the symbolism and subliminal messages that offer life lessons for people as it reflects the plight of the righteous.
In the spirit of I Am Legend, the film takes place in a world that is a casualty of an apocalypse. And in another of the film’s shortcomings, the explanation of the current state of the world in The Book of Eli is casually brushed aside with hardly any detail.
Food is scarce. Water has more weight than gold. Kindness and humanity have given way to survival instinct as the natural resources and personal luxuries became a thing of the past.
In a desolate planet, Eli – played by Denzel Washington – is a man with a plan. He moves beyond his current circumstances and surroundings to work towards pursuing his life’s purpose.
The Book of Eli’s protagonist is in direct opposition to the heroine in the critically acclaimed film Precious – who initially operates in defeat until she is saved by supporting cast members.
Washington’s Eli is self-reliant. He is so in tune with his mission and pressing forward with his destiny that his limitations/weaknesses are invisible to the eye.
Point number one.
He doesn’t quite understand where he’s going or why, but has the faith to press forward and “stay on the path.”
Point number two.
Eli is the anointed protector of a book that was condemned and eventually forgotten generations before the film began.
He trudges through what’s left of a world that is stripped of all luxuries and most essentials.
“People had more than they needed,” Eli told a character in the film when asked to describe life before “the fire.” “And we threw away what people kill each other for today.”
Point number three.
At one of the stops along his journey, he ends up in a town where he crosses paths with the film’s villain, Carnegie (Gary Oldman). Carnegie has searched the ends of the Earth for the book that is hidden within Eli’s backpack – which exposes yet another flaw by way of Gary Whitta’s unsophisticated script.
Carnegie, who remembers the power within the book, is determined to take its words and manipulate them to exploit the emotional state of the broken souls that remain on Earth.
Point number four.
Even with its faith-based overtones, the film is unsparingly violent and graphic. Grimy, heat-blistered humans hunt each other as if they are wild prey and hijack personal belongings for bare essentials.
Denzel is convincing and effective as Eli. The quiet confidence and assurance with respect to the goal of a character that has become his trademark is a definite asset as he tackles the role.
Gary Oldman’s Carnegie was acceptable, but any other member of the cast was disposable – including Mila Kunis and Jennifer Beals.
But the compelling concept of the film, made plain by staying focused on Eli – and his words and actions of wisdom – will offer inspiration, hope and a renewed sense of conviction. It helps picks up the slack of a lackluster cinematic effort.
“I was so busy protecting the book that I forgot to live what I learned from reading it,” Eli said in one of the film’s final scenes.
Point number five.
The Book of Eli opens in theatres nationwide tomorrow (Fri., Jan. 15). The film is rated R with a running time of 118 minutes.
