“Nothing changes unless you make it change.” —Foley
Today’s quick review: The Samaritan. After twenty-five years in prison, Foley (Samuel L. Jackson), a reformed grifter, returns to the outside world with no friends, no money, and no prospects. He finds a kindred spirit in Iris (Ruth Negga), a troubled young woman, but their life together is derailed when Ethan (Luke Kirby), the son of Foley’s dead partner, approaches him for one last con.
The Samaritan is a crime drama with a dark tone and an unpredictable plot. The Samaritan starts out as a sober look at the life of an ex-con, following Foley as he tries to put his past behind him. But as the movie progresses, it morphs into a plot-driven tale of revenge with several sharp twists. The Samaritan has ideas that could be great in another movie, but it only realizes some of their potential.
The Samaritan is a decent movie with clear flaws. The story is interesting and handles its twists well, but the drama feels artificial and the ending is flat. The direction is competent enough, but the movie misses opportunities to give its drama weight rather than just going through the motions. Samuel L. Jackson does a fine job as Foley, but the role is more passive and subdued than the roles he is known for.
Watch The Samaritan if you are a fan of dark crime movies and are looking for one with a focus on plot. The Samaritan offers little in the way of action or confidence schemes, but as a drama it does enough right to be a worthwhile watch. Skip it if you are looking for a light watch or a higher-quality drama. For a classic con movie with a lighter tone, check out The Sting. For an even darker drama with more revenge and better twists, check out Oldboy.
5.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for an interesting plot, dark subject matter, and mixed execution.