Director
William Friedkin is probably best remembered for the horrifying The Exorcist,
and the crime thriller The French Connection. For the last several years, he's
almost slipped into obscurity with some really bad films including The Guardian
and Jade. Now he returns with the marine drama Rules of Engagement.
In
Rules Samuel L. Jackson plays a marine who may go to prison for ordering his men
to open fire on a hostile crowd in Yemen. He hires a soon to be retired marine
(played by Tommy Lee Jones) to defend him. Rules of Engagement is based on a true
story and zooms along in obvious fashion. In fact, many will notice echoes of
Rob Reiner's A Few Good Men. This is, however, a very slick production with a
powerful performance from Jackson and a more subtle but equally effective performance
from Jones.
Friedkin
is in top form here, particularly with the Yemen gunfight sequence, in which we
the audience experiences the mass confusion that is taking place. The courtroom
scenes are nothing new as the prosecuting attorney (played well by L.A. Confidential's
Guy Pearce) proceeds to get a rise out of Jackson while he awaits vindication.
The film is also flooded with moments in which members of high political power,
heartlessly attempt to hang Jackson out to dry.
These
moments do not take away from what really makes Rules of Engagement work. Strong
acting and crisp direction. This film is a strong, sometimes hard to watch, look
at patriotism. And although you've seen some of this stuff before, Rules of Engagement
is a very compelling drama.
