by Frank Calvillo
There isn’t a movie lover around who won’t look at the cover of John Travolta’s latest movie, I Am Wrath, and not know what they’re getting when they decide to take it on: action, obscure background rock music, and an overall film experience that’s ripe for 4am fodder. The movie hasn’t got a hint of a prayer of escaping the many disposable elements which make it what it is, but then again, maybe it doesn’t want to. After all, there are enough core elements within I Am Wrath which excuse the movie’s more flimsy attributes and manage to actually give it some heft.
The plot of I Am Wrath is a straightforward one. A retired special ops expert named Stanley (Travolta), now working safely in the automotive industry, returns home from a business trip only to witness the brutal murder of his wife Vivian (Rebecca De Mornay). Angered by a pair of dirty cops (Sam Trammell and Asante Jones) for letting his wife’s killer walk free, Stanley recruits his old colleague Dennis (Christopher Meloni) to join him in taking down this ring of corruption, which reaches right up to the top.
Those who embrace the type of film I Am Wrath is, with its disposable bad guys and shoestring budget, will delight in its many throwback qualities. The film recalls the glory of the Death Wish series (the better installments, anyhow) to such an extent that fans of those films will easily find many reasons to get behind this second rate Travolta effort, not least of which is the idea of a man trying to avenge his wife’s death. If this were the ’80s, I could so easily see this being directed by Michael Winner for Charles Bronson. But I Am Wrath also successfully functions as a vehicle for its star. Those who lapped up the Travolta of Broken Arrow, The General’s Daughter, and all the way up to Basic, will surely embrace the film as a reminder that one of their favorite movie stars is still up to the task of stepping into an action hero’s shoes.
It doesn’t take long (and I mean not long at all) to realize that I Am Wrath is truly a film about today. This is more than evident with film’s opening credit sequence, which offers up a very unsettling and uncomfortable collage of news reports featuring footage of violent crimes. It is such a sobering way to begin the film and sets a mostly grim tone throughout the rest of I Am Wrath’s runtime. Sadly, the film’s opening proves more relevant than not in the madness of today’s world, especially given the idea of corrupt politicians and violence erupting at the drop of a hat. This is more than made clear by the film’s Ohio setting, which shows how this kind of story can happen anywhere and that not even the confines of middle America are safe.
Travolta can do this kind of role in his sleep, which he thankfully doesn’t do here. For as cliched as the film is, the actor brings total commitment to the role. He’s ably supported by a game Meloni, who shares some great chemistry with the legendary actor. And although she is only onscreen for a brief time, its nice to see De Mornay doing ANYTHING that keeps her magnetic presence in front of the camera.
The idea of a person emotionally imploding when they do not get the justice they so clearly deserve is a classic and timeless storytelling trope that will always resonate through various cinematic examples. At one point in the film Stanley proclaims to Dennis, “I want justice.” Dennis shakes his head and counters, “You want vengeance.” Is there a difference in the end? Sadly, I Am Wrath never fully answers this question, and given the state of things in the world today, it would be hard-pressed to even try.
The Package
A commentary track featuring Travolta and the film’s director Chuck Russell is the sole special feature on this release.
The Lowdown
Obviously a passable time waster, I Am Wrath manages to work as a throwback to both the career of its star and the Cannon action films of the ’80s, while remaining a sad comment on today’s headlines.
I Am Wrath is now available on Blu-ray and DVD from Lionsgate.
