Liam Neeson’s latest movie Absolution dives into the life of an aging Boston gangster trying to make peace with his past while confronting personal demons. Directed by Hans Petter Moland and written by Tony Gayton, the film combines elements of crime, family struggles, and redemption, though it treads familiar territory for the actor. Known for his commanding presence, Neeson attempts to add depth to his character’s emotional journey, but the movie struggles with balancing multiple subplots.
Neeson plays a character referred to only as “Thug,” a criminal trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Daisy (Frankie Shaw), after learning he has a terminal illness. His relationship with Daisy is complex, as she works as a stripper to support her children, facing eviction in the process. While Thug tries to help, their relationship remains unresolved, with money offered as a last-ditch attempt to fix things before his time runs out.
At the same time, Thug discovers that his son, who died of a heroin overdose two years earlier, was gay—a fact that initially troubled him. He confesses to his girlfriend that perhaps things could have been different if he had been more involved in his son’s life. This storyline, however, isn’t explored in much depth, leaving viewers with only surface-level insights into Thug’s regret over his past mistakes.
The film also takes on themes of human trafficking, showing Thug inadvertently participating in a delivery before realizing the gravity of the situation. He decides to intervene and rescue a victim, but the character receives minimal development before becoming another tragic casualty of violence.
Supporting characters, including Thug’s boss Mr. Conner (Ron Perlman), feel underutilized. While the film aims to explore Thug’s relationships and his fading grasp on life, the secondary characters are mostly used to move the plot forward, without much emotional investment.
Absolution tries to blend crime drama with emotional depth, but the result is somewhat inconsistent. Despite a few tense shootouts, the film’s 122-minute runtime feels stretched, with neither the action nor the emotional arcs hitting their full potential. Even with the beautiful Boston scenery as a backdrop, the movie struggles to leave a lasting impact.
Neeson’s portrayal of a conflicted, aging gangster resonates at times, but Absolution does not break new ground. The character’s journey is reminiscent of his previous roles, including the estranged-father archetype seen in earlier films. Comparisons can also be drawn to the lone anti-hero from Drive, but Absolution lacks the tight storytelling that made those narratives compelling.
Produced by Roger Birnbaum, Michael Besman, Warren Goz, and Eric Gold, the film also lists several executive producers, including Mark Kimsey, Tina Wang, and Samuel Hall. Distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films, Absolution is set for release on November 1, 2024.
With a talented cast featuring Yolonda Ross, Daniel Diemer, Javier Molina, and Frankie Shaw, along with Ron Perlman in a smaller role, Absolution promises decent performances but falls short of offering anything groundbreaking. Viewers expecting high-octane action or emotionally fulfilling resolutions may find themselves wanting more from this crime thriller.
Title:
Absolution
Director:
Hans Petter Moland
Screenwriter:
Tony Gayton
Release Date:
November 1, 2024
Cast:
Liam Neeson, Frankie Shaw, Yolonda Ross, Daniel Diemer, Javier Molina, Jimmy Gonzales, Josh Drennen, Deanna Nayr Tarraza, Terrence Pulliam, Ron Perlman
Genre:
Crime Thriller
Rating:
R
Runtime:
2 hours 2 minutes
