The Book of Eli (The Hughes Brothers, 2010)

If you only see one church sermon disguised as a “post-apocalyptic action westerner” this year.......

The biggest irony about the Hughes Brothers latest film The Book of Eli is that their last film From Hell appears to be a complete contrast to the alternative title to this Denzel Washington star vehicle, which must have been He came from the Heavens.

Simply put, this film is religious propaganda wrapped up in a stylish gun-toting, shades wearing action hero. It concerns one man (Eli) and his book on a journey to the West in a barren America that has been ruined by nuclear fallout. It becomes clear very early on that the book in concern is the Holy Bible, and he is on a spiritual quest to deliver it into the right hands and provide hope through its words. Breaking up the thin plot are long, expansive shots of Eli walking through the despondent Californian desert. If Oscar winning Washington can do one thing better than the rest, it’s walking.

Due to the lack of O-Zone layer thanks to the result of some unknown war (the reason of which is never explored) all of the characters are forced to wear shades. Cue many long shots of Eli strolling through the desert looking super-cool. If any preacher looked this good, I think the church would have a whole new youth image. Like many action hero’s he never runs, never panics, never loses his cool. Herein lays my first major problem with the film, its action.

The Book of Eli is indeed an action film and there is a fair bit of it. To the directors credit it is shot beautifully, and with variety. Highlights include a silhouette sword fight reminiscent of Kill Bill, a western style shoot out, and a fantastic attack on a large house done in one single swooping camera take. As visually stimulating as it is, our Hero Eli, never appears to batter an eye lid or let loose one single beat of sweat to the impossible odds that face him time and time again. This is a rookie error that is seen in many other action films like Underworld, Tomb Raider, Wanted and other subpar attempts at cinema. If the protagonist is never intimidated by the task that lies before him, why should the audience be? Denzel reacts and speaks like he is in a Convent; quiet, calm, cool but very un-engaging. Coming from the man who delivered such powerhouse performances in Training Day and Malcolm X I expected much more.

The Hughes Brothers are never sure what film style to use, gritty handheld camera, technically impressive track shots, huge swooping panoramic vistas, these are all used to great effect, but equate to nothing more than stylish imagery making up for lack of substance. The dystopian background seems merely a catalyst to use the salvation of religion as the films ‘hero’. In one final shot the bible is shelved next to the Tora and the Koran, pushing them aside out of shot. This sums up the films message, that Christianity is the way to save ourselves. Direct shots on Eli appear to fly straight past him, for no other reason than the fact he is a spiritual being. However, for such a riotous man he appears to take no remorse in gutting, decapitation, and shooting his way through the state of California.

Within the film with is stylish imagery and great soundtrack are a thousand wasted opportunities. Cannibals, savage muggers, the great Gary Oldman as a sadistic town mayor are all pushed aside to make room for the sermon. It must be said that there are some novel ideas such as trading household items as currency and the fact that even at the end of the civilised world Apple still dominate the gadget market with their IPod.

The Book of Eli is not a bad film, just not a great one. It has its potentials but the overarching message is nothing new, nothing moving, and nothing short of preachy. Surely a film that wants to bring forth Christianity and present it as the answer to our troubles should not leave you longing for more stylish blood thirsty violence. Amen.