Movies

A Working Man review: Jason Statham can’t revive this dull action thriller

BBG News

If you were looking forward to The Beekeeper marking the beginning of a thrilling collaboration between David Ayer and Jason Statham, then A Working Man may disappoint you by putting an end to such expectations.

At first glance, the newly titled film appears to be a rebranding of the book it’s adapted from, originally known as “Levon’s Trade.” However, beneath its new appearance, it shares striking similarities with “The Beekeeper,” while also incorporating elements reminiscent of both “Taken” and “John Wick.

In this rephrased version, we find that Statham’s character, Levon Cade, was once a special forces operative who has transitioned to a construction worker (instead of a professional assassin transformed into a beekeeper). Despite the career change, he never loses his knack for using those unique skills when someone he cares about is mistreated. In this story, the daughter of his employer is kidnapped by human traffickers, and it’s up to Levon to uncover who is responsible and rescue her from danger.

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In the story titled “The Beekeeper,” Levon discovers a complex plot that transcends a typical kidnapping case. This intricate web extends to the Russian mafia, putting not only his own daughter but also anyone close to him in danger.

As a devoted fan, I find myself reflecting on a scene where this notorious mobster warns retaliation against “three generations” of his family. Quite severe, don’t you think? In other action flicks, such threats might be portrayed as over-the-top theatrics. However, in this series, it’s presented with a grim sincerity that makes it feel like a chilling reality.

In simpler terms, the film “A Working Man” struggles to maintain a suitable balance in its tone throughout its overly lengthy two-hour duration. While it’s acceptable for a movie to be a serious action thriller, it becomes problematic when it often falls into being too simplistic or unintelligent, as is the case with “A Working Man.

Consider a situation where Levon returns to a bar that he knows has ties to the Russian mafia. With an abundance of surveillance equipment at hand, he parks his imposing SUV near a scanty tree just stones away from the entrance. Unsurprisingly, he’s quickly noticed.

It seems like I’m being overly critical, but “A Working Man” truly intends to be taken seriously. From the very beginning, with its stern military-themed imagery such as a cement mixer standing in for a grenade and flag-draped coffins, it’s clear that this isn’t meant for lighthearted laughter. You might even find yourself chuckling at some parts of the script, but I assure you, it won’t be intentional.

The film seems to blend elements of two distinct genres: a tense “pursuit” narrative featuring a determined protagonist, and a gritty “gangland” drama involving a dismal criminal underworld. Originally conceived by Sylvester Stallone in collaboration with Ayer as a television series, it’s evident that with expanded scope, the mob storyline could have been more integrated rather than appearing as prolonged digressions from the main narrative. However, in its current form, it unnecessarily complicates the plot.

Quick action scenes make things more exciting, but they could be improved. It’s enjoyable watching Statham break bones and fight bad guys, but the movie A Working Man has issues due to common modern problems like dark lighting, extreme close-ups, and fast edits that often make the action difficult to follow.

In the film “A Working Man,” Statham’s talents are largely underutilized throughout, yet director Ayer manages to save the best for the climax. He allows Statham’s punching power (and a generous amount of gunfire) to take center stage in an exciting conclusion. Although viewers may find it tedious getting there, action enthusiasts will ultimately appreciate the payoff, as they’ll finally witness the spectacle they likely sought when they chose to watch “A Working Man.

There’s room for character Levon Cade to reappear since the initial book led to a series, and a follow-up could offer writer Ayer an opportunity to refine the tone and provide actor David Harbour, who portrays a blind ex-colleague of Levon’s, with more substantial material to work with.

But on the basis of A Working Man, we’ll stick with The Beekeeper 2 instead.

A Working Man is released in cinemas on March 28.

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2025-03-26 22:49

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