Raj Doctor (21 May 2013)

Fracture

Sir Anthony Hopkins. Need anything else be told when he is there in amovie? One just goes and sees the movie and enjoys his performance. Ihad seen the trailer of this movie and with the type of coverage givento Anthony Hopkins in the trailer; I became keener to jump on theopportunity to see the movie.Anthony Hopkins plays Ted Crawford who shoots his wife because she issleeping with someone – a policeman played by David Strathairm. Anambitious and confident lawyer Willy Beachum (Ryan Gosling) takes thisclear and shut case easily. But later realizes that the weapon withwhich the wife is killed in missing and Ted Crawford could be set free– innocent without any charge. Ted fights his own case and wins. ButWilly does not leave the case and in the end solves the mystery andbrings Ted back into the courtroom. Whether Ted is convicted this timeis not shown in the movie – but the movie ends there.Director Gregory Hoblit, has tried his best to bring two great starstogether – one veteran and one rising; one old wine and one youngspirit. Anthony Hopkins as usual gives his best performance; he speaksmore in his silences than when he actually speaks and that is the classof his caliber and acting. Ryan Gosling is good, and holds his feetagainst Anthony Hopkins, but still looks tiny.There is a love angle to Ryan in the movie – which is totallyunnecessary. This and some other scenes are so loose in the movie thatthey carry unnecessary & extra film footage.I was able to guess the mystery just 20 minutes into the movie and Ithink, that is the failure of the Director – to have such a predictablemystery. More unsatisfactory was the way Ryan Gosling brings backAnthony Hopkins to the court room in the end. It is so much laughable.I felt like I was seeing some old Bollywood blockbuster – where a veryintelligent villain always holds his mind till the end and like a foolblurts out his crimes without reasons to the Hero, just to be arrested.Did not the Director realize this decades old formula and not to repeatit? Other point is that as shown in the trailers – Sir Anthony Hopkinsdoes not really get enough scenes and movie revolves around RyanGosling. I was disappointed at that. I am giving 5 points just becauseof Sir Anthony Hopkins, otherwise the rating would be much more lower.(Stars 5 out of 10)

Julian Felton (21 May 2013)

Highly Enjoyable Thriller

I have always been a fan of Anthony Hopkins who is a remarkablyfascinating actor known for roles like: The Elephant man, The SilenceOf The Lambs etc. So I was keen to see how he was in this film and hewas brilliant as ever and stole the picture.The plot is not so original and has been done before but the filmpresents it in a way that it sort of feels original. Ted Crawford, ameticulous-minded structural engineer, discovers his wife is having anaffair with a police detective. Crawford proceeds to shoot his wife andimmediately confesses over the crime. However at his arraignmentCrawford retracts his confession. He then engages in a battle of thewits with a rising star district attorney Willy Beachum. Beachumquickly discovers his case is falling apart as Crawford outwits him atevery turn.The casting of this film is exceptional, Anthony Hopkins plays his rolevery subtly and brings a dry wit of humor which does good for the film.Ryan Gosling as Willy Beachum works wheel with his part and delivers astrong paced performance, Billy Burke gives a versatile performancewith his small role as detective Rob Nunally. Rosamund Pike doessurprisingly good with her rather dull and uninteresting characterNikki Gardner and we get some other great performances by EmbethDavidtz, Fiona Shaw, Bob Gunton and David Starthairn.The film does a good job keeping the pace nicely flowing and thereseems to be never a dull moment, and the climax of the film is playedout very nicely and subtly where Anthony and Ryan really play theirparts well. If you like crime thrillers then check this film out butdon't expect anything new or fresh.

guilfisher-1 (20 May 2013)

Not that good

This movie belongs to the photographer and director, Greory Holbit. Myproblem is that it was miscast. Sir Anthony Hopkis always comes off asthe English Gentleman. Perfect speech and diction but not much else.After a while you get tired of hearing and watching him. Other thanSILENCE OF THE LAMBS and LEGENDS OF THE FALL, he is boring. Add to thisRyan Gosling and his James Dean impersonation. Sometimes hard to hearand understand his diction. He scratches he grunts and most of the timeseems totally wrong for the part of anyone who could pass the bar exam.Put these two together and there's no chemistry. There was more betweenHopkins and Pitt in JOE BLACK. Then you have Rosamund Pike as the richone on the make for the kid. Looking like his mother, the best line iswhen someone says with her hair down she's on the make. when it's upshe's the boss. The sex scenes were embarrassing but thank heavens theywere short and mostly shot in the dark. That fine actor DavidStrathairn has a small role and is wasted. He was wonderful in THEFIRM. Embeth Davidtz and Billy Burke, not Billie Burke, were the starcrossed lovers and both did very well, although not enough of them. Toomuch Hopkins and Gosling who also reminds me of Edward Norton and JohnCusack.

Mark Palermo (19 May 2013)

Director Gregory Hoblit's sterile blue visuals are par for the lack of dramatic impact.

funnycat2001 (19 May 2013)

Best Movie I've Seen All Year

This is the best film that I have seen all year. It has a brilliantplot and a wonderful cast. For instance in this film Ryan Goslingdisplays his brilliant acting chops. Gosling along with Hopkins make abrilliant match. Their characters go one-on-one with each other in thiscat and mouse game. I enjoyed the dialogue between Gosling andHopkins.The script was well-written for this film. I also enjoyed allof the other performances in the film. With supporting actors likeRosamund Pike and David Strathairn it is easy to see why this is such agreat movie. This is one role that I immensely enjoyed seeing Hopkinsin. I would gladly see this film again.

(18 May 2013)

AWESOME movie!

This review is from: Fracture (Amazon Instant Video) Suspenseful.Intriguing.Twists & Turns.Great actors.Well worth the watch!Some foul language, brief violence at beginning of movie and adulterous theme.

(17 May 2013)

A little slow, but a lot of great acting

I am ambivalent about this particular movie. I really am. The story, plot, and details are weak. They're so weak that the movie appears to be written by a feeble-minded old twit. The plot is too farfetched to be in same universe as plausibility. What you do get, however, is some great acting. The acting by Hopkins is good. The acting is top-notch in fact. If you just want to see some good acting regardless of the script, this movie is for you. Otherwise, the movie could be for those with little taste, or are easily amused. Oh well, it just wasn't that good. So keep your money, and see something else.

(17 May 2013)

Fracture is another movie anthony hopkins can add to his greatest hits collection

I went to go see Fracture because most people said it was quite goodand Anthony hopkins is one of my favourite actors.After seeing it i thought that it was brilliant. The film wascatagorised as a court room drama but i would just say it was adrama/mystery. The performance from gosling was relatively goodconsidering he was standing in Hopkins shadow. The film was intelligentand also had some humour from hopkins this film is definitely going toa be a nominee for best film this year. This film is for everyone andnot confusing or drowns you in too much information like films beforeit.

Scott Weinberg (17 May 2013)

There's nothing brilliant or revolutionary about Fracture. It's simply a well-made crime thriller, period.

(16 May 2013)

At first glance nothing is like it seems!

"Fracture" is a film that literally remits us to "Sleuth", an intelligent, astute and provocative challenge to justice and investigators. A mature husband (Anthony Hopkins) has realized his wife has cheated him with a law agent, and prepares a meticulous plan in order to murder her and at the same time to evade the justice. On the other hand, we have a young attorney who accepts the risks this weird case involves. As you see we have a very smart and amusing film that plays with those visual details that usually are overlooked. Recommended without reserves.

DrGlitterhouse (16 May 2013)

Succinctly Rendered

Neither the ad campaign nor the pre-release buzz did this film justice."Fracture" isn't a knockoff of "Silence of the Lambs"; it's more of across between "Wall Street" and "Columbo." Ryan Gosling is a deputydistrict attorney on his way out the door to take a job with aprestigious corporate law firm when he's assigned the case of TedCrawford (Anthony Hopkins), an airline executive who's shot his wife.Focused on starting his new job and thinking the case is a slam dunk,Gosling is blindsided by the defendant (who, like Columbo, isn't asclueless as he affects to appear) and becomes determined to win thecase and, perhaps, regain his moral compass.While director Gregory Hoblit's TV roots are showing in some of theearly transition scenes (e.g., the drawn-out introduction of Gosling'scharacter, pointless skyline shots), overall the cast and crew deservehigh marks for delineating the characters and their motivations assuccinctly as they do. With basically two scenes, they manage to painta portrait of the airline executive's wife and elicit sympathy for hersituation, despite her being an adulteress. We'll also given a goodsense of Ted's manipulative nature and why he does what he does. DavidStrathairn, as the district attorney, manages to cut a patronly figurewithin the confines of an elected official having to deal with thepolitical ramifications of a failure to convict. The movie is lean andstreamlined without leaving the viewer feeling cheated."Fracture" is as much about the choices its characters make as it isabout foiling the bad guy. That and the sharp dialogue place it a cutabove most current Hollywood productions.

Heather (15 May 2013)

Anthony Hopkins at his best once again.......

This was a great suspensful/thriller of a movie! It has you guessing til the end and laughing with some parts. I recommened this movie to anyone whose not into the horror slasher movies this would be good for you.

24540647 (14 May 2013)

Guessed how it was done within 15 minutes. Disappointing.

Anthony Hopkins shoots his cheating wife and surrenders to the police.The rest of the film centrers around Ryan Gosling's character trying toprove the crime after various things happen to collapse the case.This could have been a very good movie. Unfortunately, the weapon HOW?is guessable as soon as it comes into the story, but you have to waittill the end of the movie for it to be explained. When Hopkins "pullsthe plug" you just know how the film will end.This film is well acted, if you forgive Hopkins accent moving fromAmerican to British to Irish with a touch of Scottish thrown in now andagain. Never quite sure what nationality he's supposed to be. Somestrong supporting cast make this a film worth getting on DVD, but notworth the cost of the cinema.

MovieFanette (14 May 2013)

Architect for the Hopkin's house used in Fracture?

1. I'm assuming this was a real house and not just a built set.I would love to see more of this architect's work.2. Set locations were nicely meshed in this movie.What town were they filmed in? 3. Anyone know who made the mobile toys?I would love to know the artist who built the copper & ballrollercoasters.Can they be purchased? 4. The alternative endings were over-the-top.I'm glad they didn't go with them.5. Question: Would fingerprints last for that long on the bullet buriedinside the brain?

(13 May 2013)

fracture

This review is from: Fracture (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) Again Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling.. You can't go wrong! It keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time.

Eric Lurio (12 May 2013)

But the thing is pre-ordained and the viewer knows how it's going to end from the minute Ted is acquitted. However, if you're a L&O fan, it's worth a look.

(12 May 2013)

I loved Fracture!

This review is from: Fracture (Amazon Instant Video) It was surprising and the acting was good. Ryan Gosling was much younger in this film, but you can tell that he is going to have a very successful movie career. And Anthony Hopkins is good in everything...lol

linkinem41 (12 May 2013)

Predictability and the biggest cliché of suspense movies is in the movie…….

######FILLED WITH MAJOR SPOILERS############BEWARE!!Well the move is desperately trying to CLEVER……… And lets say I WASSMART ENOUGH………. It was obvious wasn't it.????Last year's PRESTIDGE was like the BIGGEST JOKE In the name of suspensemovies……. I was like Laughing at the so called suspense of the movie.Well speaking of FRACTURE there isn't anything new about it. HOPKINSdoing his all time famous KILLER role…. Oh God how long is he going tokeep on doing his Killer roles… But looking at the Bright side he GIVESa SUPERB performance. Ryan Gosling is also good in his ROLE… but hereisn't anything to rave about his role.Well the movie was nice and is slightly above average thriller. Thismovie could be totally predictable to some people like me. And theending I was hoping such a thing wouldn't happen…. GOD NO! don't tellme that's going to happen…….. and well that happens?Why in the world do villains need to confess everything in front ofanother being…. Yes this is the Biggest CLICHÉ in the film and peoplemight not like it…….Otherwise it is a decent movie……. And the way the movie ENDS in courtonly Cheers me up because I am probably thinking that Hopkins'scharacter is much Cleverer. And wow what happens after the movieends……… is much to my imagination………. A sequel to this movie HIGHLYUNLIKELY…….. But still root for it…….6.5/10

(07 May 2013)

Good but not great cat and mouse drama

Fracture is a solid but flawed courtroom drama/thriller that offersterrific acting and a compelling story, but it also suffers fromtypical "Hollywood-izing" that undermines the ending to the point ofcomplete incredulity.*spoilers* The filmmakers, who up until the last act have fashioned aterrific cat-and-mouse game between Hopkins and Gosling, took the easyway out and turned Hopkins from a clever genius into a bumbling fool.When Gosling's boss (aka his conscience) tells him, "If it makes youfeel any better you let a man get away with ATTEMPTED murder," I (alongwith many others I am sure) knew how the movie would end. But it wasnot true to Hopkins' brilliant character that he too would have thoughtof this major loophole. A man who ingeniously constructs such anintricately plotted way to get away with the crime doesn't think aboutthe fact that he can be tried again? Not buying it.I spent a lot of time criticizing this one fatal flaw, but overall I amstill giving the movie a 7, because the rest of it (with the exceptionof the tepid romantic subplot) was so good and so effective. I justwish the filmmakers would have delivered an edgier ending and not stuckwith the Hollywood conventional wrap-up.

(07 May 2013)

Why Can't Hollywood Be Bothered To Have At Least One Talented Lawyer Review Scripts?

Alright, here's the deal. Those of you who are entirely ignorant of the law will enjoy this film (assuming you like suspense, criminal dramas, etc.). Hopkins, especially, is brilliant.That being said, anybody with a legal background (at least a decent one) will be able to drive trucks through the blatant holes in this film.Without revealing spoilers, most notably, the climax of the film is entirely wrong. The legal doctrine cited does not work that way.This is all probably pointless, as most lawyers I know stay away from legal shows and movies for precisely this reason, but worth mentioning nonetheless. It's easier to overlook a minor plot point in which the law is distorted...much more difficult to overlook the climax.For (decent) lawyers: 1 starFor those without a legal background (and who don't care): 3 or 4 stars...it's well acted and in an alternate universe without American legal doctrines to stand in the way, the plot is engaging.