Fracture
To the movie investigator who is knowledgeable in the case histories of Sherlock Holmes, the latest offering of Anthony Hopkins as a criminal genius will evoke nothing so much as Josiah Amberly, the retired colourman. The elderly husband. The younger, beautiful, faithless wife. These are the elements of the unstimulatingly titled “Fracture,” and instead of a Holmes (any Holmes), our scheming husband must be faced down by Ryan Gosling’s young career-climber whose personal foibles (and remarkably small ears) might just stop him from seeing justice done.
“Fracture” has the plot arc of a classic mystery short story. The villain murders his wife and is as sure he’s going to get away with it as Babe Ruth ever was pointing at which fence he’s going to hit a home run over. ” The hero is just flawed enough that at times you aren’t sure just who you’re rooting for. Pride is going to go before someone’s fall in this battle of the old and wise versus the young and driven, and you’re never quite sure who that someone is going to be.
Like it’s title, “Fracture” is probably not a movie that you will remember for years to come, but it’s a well-constructed piece of entertainment, hitting all the notes just right. The characters all live a wealthy-enough lifestyle to add a touch of glamour for us common folk. The battle of wits is not over-complicated, and its primary points are clearly portrayed. And it spends enough time with its characters that one can understand what they’re all about. Its a solid movie, and something a little more intellectual for those of use who don’t really care for all the “running and screaming” films that seem to be out at the moment.
What Great-grandfather Sherlock Would Say:
“There is a strong family resemblance about misdeeds . . .”
Past Investigations