Review 157
The Boondock Saints (1999)
Happy new year everyone! I wonder when it gets too late to say that. I mean, we're over a week into it already. Since I had (almost) a week off from work, I spent my time going out and relaxing before school started again. It's just a great time all around (please find the sarcasm in my voice). But I digress - we're here to review a film, no? Today we're gonna review Troy Duffy's The Boondock Saints starring Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, Willem Dafoe, and David Della Rocco. I mean, I've watched The Boondocks, so I might as well go with the saints of the boondocks, right? ... Yeah, that was a piss-poor joke. On to the review!
After Connor (Sean Patrick Flanery) and Murphy MacManus (Norman Reedus) kill two Russian mobsters in self-defense after a Saint Patrick's brawl, they're hailed as heroes. Soon they take their violent antics to the street to become the unknown vigilantes Boston has always wanted. Meanwhile, FBI Agent Paul Smecker (Willem Dafoe) is on the case to figure out who these new killers are, all while Italian errand boy for the mafia Rocco (David Della Rocco) tries to stay alive.
In Poultrygeist, Ron Jeremy's cameo appearance showed just how shit the film was going to be, but thankfully The Boondock Saints is not bad. It's not a masterpiece by any means, but I had a great amount of fun out of this one. The Boondock Saints keeps it going with a crazed FBI agent along with the funny trio. It's like Death Wish without the strong message and Charles Bronson (I also recommend this movie if you haven't seen it).
I'm not sure I have much else to say about this one, guys. It's quirky, it's funny, but it's got the vigilante, Catholic drive. I really liked the acting from Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus, and David Della Rocco definitely gave me a good laugh as Rocco. But damn, Willem Dafoe definitely steals the show. I really loved his character and the acting. If all gay men were portrayed like this, I'd be fine with it. His glazed eyes as he relives a crime scene is just great. Sigh... Honestly, I'd re-watch the film just for him. That's not to say the vigilante trio didn't do a great job - they had pretty comical bits themselves - but in my eyes, Willem Dafoe really had me captivated.
So how about the vigilante theme? Death Wish really presented this fantastically, and I remember discussing with my boyfriend about the prominent theme. Having gone through the judicial system personally, as well as having been a true crime fanatic, I think we can all agree that justice isn't always served. Not to mention the regulations put in place in some countries (including mine) which limits self-defensive options, making it impossible to fend for yourself if ever you're in a less-than-ideal situation. Then you have cases where people are condemned for self-defense - I mean, really. In Death Wish, the crime takes place in New York where firearm ownership is extremely difficult. Is it any wonder the city is ridden with crime? Yeah, I'm weighing into the right to bare arms, second amendment of the United States of America. And yes, as a person living outside of the country, and in a country where firearms in the general public are feared upon, I think you should be able to defend yourself with a weapon, including a firearm. Seriously, if I'm packing heat, I don't think people are going to mess with me. People shouldn't be stupid, but if you're in the firearm community, I'm gonna assume that generally you aren't trying to blow yourself up, so you'll follow regulations. Now, obviously the USA is not the only one packing, but since it's such a big debate there, I thought I'd way in.
So how do I feel about vigilantism? One hundred percent there. That's why the second amendment exists in the first place - so the government listens to you, not the other way around. I'm not saying I'd go out and kill a man tomorrow, but let's fight smartly, shall we? Can we agree that some of the people in this film are complete scum? Can we agree that the court is not always going to benefit the right? It's not black and white, no issue is, but we can agree that judgements will be served, however your faith takes it.
Whew, that was a lot of opinionated dribble. Let's wrap this up. The Boondock Saints is a very fun film, filled with violent craziness. Willem Dafoe is awesome. I recommend it whole-heartedly. Have a good night!
