——Comment on the 2009 version of the American film "Law Abiding Citizen"
There is no doubt that this is a genre film. This type of film has a lot to do in Hollywood, so when I say it’s a type film, many people definitely don’t want to watch it, because at best it’s just a story like Yang Jia in China—“You don’t give I have an opinion, and I will give you an opinion.”—That’s it. What I want to say is, don't introduce it, this is indeed an American Yang Jia story in terms of genre, but it's really worth watching. Not only because of the simplicity of the story, but also mainly because the rhythm and editing are in place, and the actors act very well-mainly because the sense of proportion is well grasped; in addition, this film is not so thrilling, scary, and bloody, but it makes you stop. Not down; other than that, mostly it's more of a philosophical movie - the idea behind it is philosophical. I think at least this is something you rarely see in this type of film.
The first shot of the film is the scene of the lethal injection. Ami, who could have died without pain, struggled in pain for a long time before dying. Someone moved, and a bottle said: "You can't resist fate." This sentence reminded Nick of Darby, and they immediately dispatched to arrest Darby. But Nick, who thought he was very smart, was wrong. From now on, every decision he made, every step he took, was a trap for Clyde. Clyde finally launched an action, and let Ami die in pain, just his first step.
Nick still clearly remembers that in the last trial, Darby knew that the situation was settled and that he only needed to stay in prison for 3 years. He was very happy and asked Nick first: "Are you married?" Then he also said to Nick: "You Can't fight against fate!"
Attorney General Jonas said: "When you make a decision, you have to accept it and forget about it."
Male No. 1 Clyde is a research and development engineer living in Philadelphia; he has a happy family, a beautiful and intellectual wife; his daughter is cute and well-behaved, and she studies well. The male No. 2 Nick is an excellent prosecutor in Philadelphia. The reason why he is excellent is that the conviction rate of the cases he prosecutes has reached 96%. This is an amazing number. Because of that, he's a good guy for the Philadelphia Attorney General, and he's enjoying his position and his accomplishments. Nick also has a happy family, his wife is sensible and his daughter is well-behaved, mainly because Nick devotes almost all his body and mind to his work, and the family basically does not take care of him - even if his daughter who likes to play the cello gives concerts, he also I have never participated in it, but even so, my sensible wife keeps the house and home in an orderly manner. And rarely complain about him.
A heinous crime happened to the Clyde family: one day, a family of three were sitting at home doing their own things, and when they were about to prepare dinner, someone knocked on the door. Clyde went to open the door, and two thugs pushed in. Darby, one of the murderers, beat Clyde blind with a stick, and quickly tied Clyde's hands with tape and wrapped his arms around him. Mouth; after laying Clyde on the ground, Darby didn't stop, took out the knife from his waist and stabbed Clyde in the stomach. When Darby pulled out the knife, he said to Clyde with a half-smile, "You can't fight against fate." Darby raped Clyde's wife, raped and killed Clyde's daughter. Another criminal, Ami, was standing on the floor with a baseball bat in his hand and was frightened by Darby's madness. Not long after the catastrophe, Clyde's wife still couldn't pass this level and died soon after.
Nick becomes the Clyde family's prosecutor. However, for such an obvious crime and such a simple case, Nick did not return justice and fairness to Clyde. Because Clyde was beaten at the time, although he saw the sins of Darby and Ami in his foreword, his testimony was not adopted by the court. The most important point is that the forensic identification of the criminal's sperm DNA failed. That is to say, if this case goes in the normal way, Clyde may not be able to win; therefore, Nick and the criminal Darby reached a plea agreement. In other words, let Darby be a tainted witness, testifying that Ami was the murderer of raping Clyde's wife and daughter, and killing Clyde's daughter. In this case, Ami can be sentenced to death - in Nick's concept, this is at least an explanation for Clyde, and the most important thing is that he won again this time. However, how could Clyde accept such a judgment? He watched Darby rape his wife with his own eyes, and then carried his daughter into the room!
For Nick, although such a verdict is considered a "victory", he is not too convinced in his heart. Because after all, he knew that this was a great injustice to Clyde. However, based on his experience in the Philadelphia judicial system for so many years, he knew that the only way to deal with him would be the most certain. Rice was acquitted. He told his immediate boss, Attorney General Jonas, that he could not take the risk. Philadelphia Attorney General Jonas asked him: "How do you explain to the victim Clyde?" Nick was sure about this, he said to Clyde: "I made a deal with them, and it was a victory for us. Clyde, who suppressed his anger, said, "But, you know what it is to try." Nick said confidently, "You know it's not important, what matters is what you can prove in court." "
Nick's words choked Clyde back. Although the words were choked back, of course the anger in Clyde did not dissipate, and he would not be convinced. However, this is the law, this is the system. When he is a little R&D engineer facing this powerful system, what can he do!
Finally, the case was settled. Ami, who was originally an accomplice, was sentenced to death, and Darby, who was originally the principal, was a so-called "tainted witness" because he made a deal with Nick, and was finally sentenced to only three years. Except for Clyde, everyone seems to be happy. The court and prosecutors killed the people and fought for justice for the Clyde family; various media reported the case from various aspects based on the briefings and judgments of the court and the procuratorate, and it seemed that they had "victory"; Nick won again — The case he brought to court was convicted once; only Clyde was so angry that he didn't know how to deal with it. However, when Nick left the courtroom and was surrounded by the media on the high platform at the entrance of the courthouse, Bi, who was sentenced to three years in prison, was handcuffed, and with a dusty smile on his face, shook hands with Nick and said with a smile. : "You can't fight against fate." All this seems to be their fate, and it has long been in the dark.
Ten years later. Just like what Goujian, the king of Yue in this country, called "to live with courage" and "to live together in ten years, learn lessons for ten years", ten years later, he began to act. First of all, he set up a scene to catch the real murderer Darby, dismembered him like an animal, and recorded the whole process. Then, he attracted the police - sent himself to the police cell. However, he only left the body of Darby that he dismembered to the police, but the police could not prove that Darby was killed by him. Because he did not leave any evidence to the police. So, if the prosecution - this time Nick is Clyde's prosecutor again, this time unlike the last time Nick needs to find evidence that Clyde killed Darby - goes to court against his offense. Because the prosecution could not find evidence of Clyde's murder, the only remaining channel was Clyde's confession. The so-called "confession" is the so-called "confession" in this country. Obviously, Clyde has his own plans, and he can't admit that he killed Darby so easily - although everyone knows he killed Darby, just like what Nick said to him: "The truth doesn't matter at all, The important thing is that you have to prove something in court." Clyde had been preparing for ten years, how could it have ended so easily. Obviously, the big game is yet to come.
Clyde knew that Nick wanted his "confession" eagerly, otherwise, if Nick couldn't find evidence within the allotted time, he could only be released. So, Clyde seized on Nick's point and said to him, "Don't you like to make deals with murderers, so let's make a deal too." Although Nick was reluctant, but the situation forced him to agree to it. Ryder. Nick asked, "What conditions?"
Clyde said, "You send me the best mattress in Philadelphia. I have a bad waist and need a good mattress. Tomorrow morning at six o'clock, to the prison."
For such a major matter, you must know that once Clyde "confessed" with Nick - admitting that he killed Darby, he would be sentenced to a heavy sentence. If he confessed all the facts of his crime, it is very likely that he would be sentenced to death. . With such a major issue that decides one's own life and death, seventy-one mattresses can be traded? Of course Nick knew that this was not Clyde's real purpose, but he didn't know what medicine was buried in Clyde's gourd. He can only take one step at a time, and besides, it is not difficult to send a mattress to the prison anyway, so promise him and see what he will say next. So Clyde got the best mattress. However, there was a little interlude during the period. Because prosecutors make deals with prisoners - even bowing their heads to prisoners, sending mattresses to prisons - isn't this an insult to the warden! However, the warden couldn't stop Prosecutor Nick from doing this. He was only eight minutes late - at 6:08 in the morning, before delivering the mattress to Clyde's cell.
However, when Nick asked for his "confession", he changed his mind. It's not that he changed his mind, he was angry at Nick's behavior of making a deal with a murderer - the two broke up. Just as Nick turned to leave, muttering and complaining that Clyde was "not keeping his promises", Clyde shouted to him, "Reynolds. One life can be all right!"
Who is Reynolds? No one else, Reynolds was Darby's defense attorney. Nick and Attorney Jonas arrived at the address Clyde said -- Reynolds was dead by the time he was pulled out of the underground box. Why die? Very simple, because of the mechanism designed by Clyde: the oxygen provided to Reynolds will be gone after a quarter past six. Nick understood for the first time: Reynolds died because the warden was deliberately late by eight minutes; for the first time, he knew how powerful Clyde was, and reminded himself to be careful in dealing with this lunatic in the future. Faced with Reynolds' icy corpse, of course Nick would think so. Once he left Reynolds' icy corpse, he would not think so, or another force in his heart-he was not convinced by Clyde, and rushed up . He felt that, based on his dealings with various criminals over the years, and his success in the Philadelphia judicial system - he was not convinced by Clyde from the bottom of his heart, and he should not lose to this Clyde!
Clyde won the first game.
The second round started again. This time it was Clyde who applied for bail. That is to post bail to the court, and Clyde can go home. How could Nick allow such an event to happen! Everyone knows that Clyde is the murderer, and he killed at least two people, how could he be released on bail! However, according to the law, as long as the prosecution represented by Nick cannot find strong evidence within the stipulated time, the court must bail Clyde. Of course, the court, the police station, and the procuratorate are one family - even in a country with three separate powers like the United States, compared with criminal suspects, Nick as a prosecutor is at least more familiar with courts and police authorities than Clyde as a suspect. much more. Besides, the judge also knew that Clyde was a murderer, but no evidence was found for him yet. As for the evidence, it would be a matter of time - just a matter of time. Prosecutor Nick thought that in this context, as long as the judge finds any reason, he can refuse Clyde's bail. Nick seems to be winning.
Initially, Nick made the case that the court could not grant Clyde's bail request. The female judge seemed to agree to Nick's request, although she thought so, but according to the procedure she had to ask Clyde, "What reason do you have?" Case - Prove to the judge that in his case, France must grant bail applications for criminal suspects, otherwise it is unconstitutional. Nick did not know that Clyde, as a young engineer engaged in development research, was so familiar with American law that he even cited precedents for the judge. It's even more incomprehensible to Clyde - this is known from the way he stared at Clyde with a pair of surprised eyes. No way, the judge can only grant Clyde's bail request.
When the judge granted Clyde's bail request, Clyde quit. Hearing the judge's approval, he was instantly enraged. He not only scolded the judge, but even turned the entire judicial system of Philadelphia upside down-his purpose was clear: he didn't want to be released on bail, he just wanted to anger the judge and prosecutor Nick. Clyde achieved his goal. He was cleared from the courtroom by bailiffs. In the second game, Clyde won.
The third game. Nick and Clyde want to "confess" again. This time Clyde's deal with Nick is: Nick will give Clyde the best steak and signature chips in Philadelphia. Clyde asked for it to be delivered at one o'clock. This time Nick was delivered on time according to Clyde's time and request. Nick thought, Clyde should tell me something this time. Who knows, the waiter who delivered the meal, the prosecutor, and the warden had just watched Clyde leave the prison after eating a hearty steak, and something big happened to Clyde again. Clyde actually killed the inmate who was sent in by the warden to live with him in a cell to monitor him. It happened that at this time Nick's superior, Philadelphia Attorney General Jonas, used his connection to find someone who knew Clyde's details. According to the man, Clyde is a terrible lunatic, as long as he wants to do, there is nothing he can't do; for example, now, you think you put him in jail, no, he is willing Living in prison... In a word, you won't be his opponent at all, except that you go to prison and shoot him right now - let alone you, even if the entire judicial system in Philadelphia is not his Opponent; if you don't do this, just wait and see, everyone who is related to the case where his wife and woman were killed will have to be killed by him one by one. Hearing this man's words, Nick was also afraid. Quickly arrange for the wife and children to go on vacation - in fact, to escape.
Prosecutor Nick and Attorney General Jonas, after analysis, decided to apply to the court to deprive Clyde of some of his personal rights. Nick believes that it is impossible for Clyde to commit the crime alone. He must have accomplices outside - otherwise, how could he commit crimes outside when he is locked in prison. Jonas and Nick told the judge, no matter which law you cite, or which law you are far-fetched, it is time to restrict his personal rights, or else the big things will come later. The judge said humorously and proudly: "You mean to violate his natural human rights for a vague and more important purpose, right?" The two nodded. The judge said understandingly, "Okay, I'll join the game." The female judge, who enjoyed the power of a judge, said arrogantly, "That's the best thing about the judge. Mr. Jonas, I basically think that Do whatever you want."
If the development continues along this line, it seems that the system and the system are destined to win. However, all of this - including the conversation between Bridges, Nick and the female judge just now, was already monitored by Clyde, and everything was under his control - although he lived in the confinement room of the prison. So, at this moment, the female judge's cell phone rang. When the female judge picked up the phone and pressed the answer button, she was bombed to death.
Clearly, it was Clyde who did it. However, Nick could not find any evidence, at least so far, he has not found any evidence. Nick was incensed, he went to Clyde and asked him why he had to kill and why he had to take revenge. Clyde's blood was swollen, and he scolded Nick angrily: "At this time, you won't be enlightened, "Retaliation? Hehe, revenge! If I want to take revenge, I need to wait until now, I need to wait ten years, I want to change this dirty They only know the system of making deals with murderers, the rotten temple." Nick asked back, "You alone want to change the system? I think this is the best system, punishing evil and advocating justice. You can change it by killing people. What else can you do besides murder? It's time to stop before the consequences of evil are caused."
Clyde saw that Nick was still awake, and knew that more bloodshed would be needed to awaken Nick, who had been nurtured by the system. He offered him a deal: "Release me and drop all charges against me by six o'clock tomorrow morning. Otherwise, I will kill everyone."
So far, although Nick knows that Clyde has some abilities, and in Nick's opinion Clyde is somewhat crazy, but he doesn't think he can continue to kill. Nick felt that there must be Clyde's accomplices in and outside the prison, otherwise he wouldn't be able to put bombs on the judge's cell phone while in prison. At this time, the Mayor of Philadelphia called Attorney General Jonas and Attorney Nick into the mayor's office, criticized them for their handling of the Clyde case, and told them clearly: If the case is not solved, they will Just don't do it. Nick assured the mayor, "He must have accomplices out there and we'll find them soon."
For so long, Nick has been quietly reflecting on his own life, touched by Clyde's killing again and again. After coming out of the mayor's office, Nick told Attorney General Jonas: "When I was young, I wanted to change the system. I wanted to fight and do my best at any cost. However, when it came time to make a step here, a step there, I ended up getting myself into this game. Then I realized that this system that I wanted to change ended up changing me, making me part of the system.”
All Nick thought, he felt that Jonas was not the first to tell him this.
So Nick summoned all the people from the Prosecutor's Office to the office overnight to discuss about Clyde.
The dossier, the prison files, and every bit of inmate material in all of Philadelphia in the last ten years were dug up in an attempt to find Clyde's accomplices. The group worked all night, and when the clock struck six in the morning, Nick stretched—he felt six o'clock had passed and nothing had happened. So, he felt that he had broken Clyde's spell. So, I greeted everyone to get off work and have breakfast. When everyone greeted each other in the courtyard of the procuratorate's parking lot and got into their cars one after another to go home to rest or eat breakfast, the tragedy happened again - many cars exploded, and this explosion killed a total of six people. Including Nick's favorite female assistant. At this moment, with the help of his female assistant boyfriend, Nick Chang is tracking down Clyde's ten years of business in Philadelphia, the direction of his funds, and all the industrial land he has purchased.
This time Clyde won again.
The next morning, Nick, the warden, and Attorney General Jonas, quietly dragged Clyde out of the cell and beat Clyde at the back door of the state prison. Clyde was bruised by Nick's beating. With blood dripping from his nose, Clyde said to Nick, "You've finally improved." The warden took out his pistol and pressed the muzzle to Clyde's temple. Nick hesitated for two seconds before deciding that he couldn't just kill Clyde.
On the way back, Nick was like a lost fighter, frustrated on the side. Attorney General Jonas reassured: "It's not difficult to make a decision, what's difficult is to accept it."
The Attorney General's words were like that of the female judge, and his words were overheard by Clyde, which cost him his life. At this moment, the whole of Philadelphia has fallen into a state of extreme panic. Although there is a lot of traffic on the surface, the entire police community and judicial system are on high alert. There are police everywhere, standing brightly and darkly in every corner. Even so, in the car returning from prison, Attorney General Jonas was killed by a robot designed by Clyde.
Nick was called into the office again by the mayor. Nick feels that Jonas' death is responsible for himself and wants to resign from the mayor. And suggested to the mayor to acquit Clyde - at least release him first to ease the situation. The female mayor is also a strong figure, and she doesn't take Clyde seriously at all. She feels that it is proper for a Philadelphia official to be so disturbed by a Clyde, and even to submit to the coercion of such a nameless person. He said, "You can't resign. Now you will take over the position of Attorney General, and now you will take up the post-after that, take the time to hold the appointment and dismissal ceremony." In the fourth game, Clyde still won.
However, Clyde did not intend to stop. His last inning was to kill all the officials in Philadelphia, and his plan was to blow up the City Hall building—detonating explosives when the mayor held a meeting of all walks of life, all levels of minds, to besiege him. Of course, the last sentence Clyde failed. It's not that his plan went wrong, it's that he's disheartened and despairing of the world—especially despairing of Nick. If he was a little careful, or with his ability, it was entirely possible to blow up the Philadelphia City Hall Building. It's just that his desire to kill the system is no longer so strong. Why? because of despair. For this day, he prepared for ten years. For this day, he endured the great grief of losing his daughter and wife, and endured the great anger of his wife and daughter being raped, but in the end, the bamboo basket was empty. It seemed that he finally understood: this is a group of people who can't wake up, and this is a group of people who don't deserve to be woken up. In a word, by this time he had given up hope spiritually.
At this moment, Nick received a mysterious receipt. The email discloses that Clyde owns a piece of land near the prison. As a result, Nick broke the magic box of Clyde's ten years of work. Finally, Clyde asked Nick, now you have a chance to make a deal with me, if... I can stop killing people. This time Nick said firmly: "I'll never make a deal with murder again."
Nick's last sentence seemed to bring hope to Clyde again. Because he spent his whole life, isn't what he wants to do to save them? Now, Nick finally understands: as a prosecutor, you can never make a deal with a murderer. This is not only the meaning of the law, but also the justice that human beings depend on. In the beginning, it was because of Nick's deal with Darby that his wife and daughter died unjustly. At the moment, it seems that this is not so important. Because Clyde was tired, Nick's last "understanding", which came too late, did not seem to revive Clyde's spiritual life. So, Clyde detonated the petrol bomb that had been prepared, and in the flames - he went away quietly.
Besides being good, what is this movie about? On the surface, this is a film of personal heroism. The whole film is about how the wronged Clyde "revenge" and how the Philadelphia officialdom was disturbed. However, the propositions that the director tries to think about are actually those issues that the founding fathers of the United States did more than 200 years ago.
How should I put it, Clyde is not Andy in "The Shawshank Redemption". He not only has no desire for revenge, but also thinks more about the system that led to this tragedy - justice is difficult to achieve. Therefore, he had to work hard for ten years before he started to act. As he himself said, if he just wanted revenge, he wouldn't have to wait ten years. With his ability, he would easily kill anyone without getting involved in a lawsuit. (Abridged 1010 words below)
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