Today’s quick review: The Contract. Ray Keene (John Cusack) is on a camping trip with his son Chris (Jamie Anderson) when they find Frank Carden (Morgan Freeman), a contract killer trying to escape from federal custody. Obeying the dying instructions of a U.S. Marshal, Ray and Chris take Frank prisoner and head for civilization. But in order to get there, they must cross miles of wilderness while being pursued by Frank’s murderous associates.
The Contract is a thriller about a father and son who are left in charge of an escaped prisoner miles from the nearest help. The movie follows Ray and Chris as they try to escape the forest in one piece and bring Frank to justice. The Contract features a decent setup that includes father-son bonding, a planned assassination, and a government cover-up. But even though the movie has the ingredients of a good thriller, its execution is disappointing.
The Contract’s main failing is that it never figures out what to do with Frank. Frank is shown to be a ruthless killer who can be polite when it suits him, and he never really deviates from that. He never develops a connection with Ray or Chris, he never grows as a character, and he never gives the audience a reason to care about him one way or the other. As such, what should be the defining role of the movie ends up falling flat.
The Contract also has issues with its plot. The heart of the story should be the relationship between Ray and Chris, who grow closer to each other as a result of their ordeal. But instead of digging deeper into their relationship, the movie spends its time weaving a conspiracy around Frank’s latest job, an assassination that the government wants hushed up. This leads to an overly complicated plot where the most important conflicts happen offscreen.
The Contract has the makings of a decent thriller, but it falls well short of its potential. The static nature of Frank’s character keeps the story from ever having a real impact, while what could have been a moving father-son relationship between Ray and Chris gets lost in the weeds. The Contract is a passable choice for viewers who are just looking for a little tension. Those looking for a richer and more satisfying story should look elsewhere.
For a Western that goes a lot farther with a similar premise, check out 3:10 to Yuma. For a minimalistic thriller set in the woods, try Killing Season or Blood Money. For an action thriller about a CIA agent and his prisoner, try Safe House.
5.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for fine craftsmanship let down by an unsatisfying plot.