While Liam Neeson might be into his 70s, he is still going strong, giving fans movies that weave the same magic. When fans look back at his career, they will be hard-pressed to choose which one is the best out of the lot, as many films will be in the running for that spot. While the likes of Schindler’s List, Taken, or Silence might come to mind, there is a movie that has etched its place in fans’ hearts for many reasons. A Walk Among the Tombstones might be a movie that has the moniker of being flawless.
Directed by Scott Frank, the 2014 movie is a crime thriller based on the novel of the same name by Lawrence Block. Starring Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, David Harbour, Boyd Holbrook, Mark Consuelos, and Laura Birn, the movie created a lot of waves back when it first hit theatres. While the Men in Black: International star was at the forefront of everything that the movie got right, with his portrayal of Matthew Scudder winning many people over, there were other factors that contributed to bringing the movie close to perfection.
A Walk Among the Tombstones will first and foremost be remembered for its gritty theme and nuanced characters who walked the fine line between good and evil, often not knowing which side they were trampling on themselves. This ambiguity was one of the major reasons that fans couldn’t help but love the crime noir; the characters perfectly embodied the conundrum when the innate darkness of one’s very human-ness clashes with the shackles of morality.
Furthermore, A Walk Among the Tombstones made heads turn due to its complex characters and their arcs. The cinematography also played a crucial part in bringing out the themes effectively. A macabre atmosphere, coupled with dark urban settings, was essential for the movie, amplifying the air of mystery surrounding the story. While the gloomy air had an impact on the fans, none can ignore how important violence was to the movie. With the story set into motion by a gruesome act, director Scott Frank was in no mood to dial down the bloodshed. However, that doesn’t mean he went overboard.
Neeson’s character reveals the flaws in our world, having to deal with the violent nature of people time and again. Everything comes together superbly in A Walk Among the Tombstones. After all, nothing illustrates the other side of human nature better than violence. While some may argue that the unraveling of events was somewhat predictable, that isn’t what makes the movie flawless. What makes this journey unforgettable is its portrayal of humans and humanity.
