Today’s quick review: Redemption. Joey Smith (Jason Statham), a homeless veteran on the run from a court martial, gets the chance to turn his life around when he breaks into an apartment that’s vacant for the summer. Joey cleans himself up and gets a job as an enforcer for a drug dealer (Benedict Wong). His change of fortune brings him closer to Cristina (Agata Buzek), a kindly nun who questions whether a life of crime is the redemption he needs.
Redemption is a crime drama about a disgraced veteran trying to pick up the pieces of his life. Haunted by his actions in Afghanistan and wanted by the police, Joey Smith has descended into a sickly, drunken stupor. Stumbling into the apartment of a wealthy Londoner, he takes the opportunity to sober up, earn some money, and help his fellow homeless. But the cost of his second chance is dirty work that threatens to cost Joey his humanity.
Redemption mainly focuses on Joey, his attempts to rebuild his life, and his relationship with Cristina, a nun who works with the homeless but harbors doubts of her own. The parts are nuanced and well-acted, but unusual. Joey has noble tendencies, but his self-destructive habits and willingness to turn to crime make him a less than altruistic figure. For her part, Cristina is torn between her own dreams and her duties to the Church.
But beyond its twin character portraits, Redemption has little to offer. The plot is minimal, charting the ups and downs of Joey’s summer in his borrowed apartment. There’s not much action for a Jason Statham movie, just his work as an enforcer for a criminal organization. The movie relies on its characters to carry it but doesn’t have much for them to do. The result is a drama with a few interesting ideas but only niche appeal overall.
Watch Redemption if you’re interested in a crime drama that deals in shades of grey. Redemption has enough quality to hit the emotional beats it tries to, but not quite enough to tie them all together. Skip it if you’re looking for action or escapism. For another tale of self-destruction and renewal, try Leaving Las Vegas or The Gambler. For a Jason Statham film with more action, try The Transporter, The Mechanic, or Safe.
6.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for well-developed characters and a weak plot.