Redbelt: A Grown Man's 'Karate Kid'

Mr. Myagi would be proud. David Mamet has mastered writing, producing and directing during his career in film. His resume includes: Ronin, The Spanish Prisoner, Glengarry Glen Ross, Wag The Dog, The Verdict (see last blog on Paul Newman) and The Untouchables. Need I say more.

Now that we've qualified the man behind the camera let's investigate the cast in this character study driven piece. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor (Children of Men, American Gangster) as Mike Terry, a martial arts instructor who saves Hollywood star Chet Frank (Tim Allen, yes-Tim the Toolman!) from a nasty bar fight. From there a relationship is forged and Mike's world changes and he is put in a financial and moral bind. This is a grown man's Karate Kid. Terry is his own Myagi and Daniel Son as he holds to beliefs and battles the demons around him.

The film is stirring and beautifully simple. Mamet prides himself on the plainness of the film. He brings us into the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) yet never loses us in over the top brawls, instead he magnifies the characters similar to the way Stallone reprised the Rocky character with success. With the heightened popularity of MMA over the last decade or so it is no suprise that Mamet was able to recruit the help of well respected fighters like Randy Couture, Enson Inoue and John Machado. Their input makes the film that much better.

Don't let the simplicity mislead you though, the characters are deep and pained from obvious perils and previous pitfalls. I finished the film and wanted more. It has powerful messages of respect, honor, love and loyalty. This one will be in the Blu-Ray collection.