My Rating: 10/10
Run Time: 126 Minutes
Theatrical Release Date: April 1, 2005
Rating: R
Directors: Robert Rodriguez and Richard Miller
Genre: Action/Crime/Drama/Thriller
Cast includes: Bruce Willis, Nick Stahl, Mickey Rourke, Jaime King, Jessica Alba, Clive Owen, Elijah Wood, Benicio Del Toro, and Michael Clarke Duncan
Let me preface by saying this film is not for the faint of heart. There’s nudity, drugs, and violence a plenty. Also, most of the film is black and white, color is only occasionally present in things like Clive Owen’s red sneakers, or someone’s blood. Mostly, though, Sin City is a film about a place that reminds me of the “wild” west. The setting is a city with corrupt officials and tough streets. The main difference between the cops and the criminals is that the cops are paid, the criminals are free lance. The film focuses on three main character-based plot lines and uses internal monologue to narrate the character’s thoughts. Each plot line has its own characters and story, though there is some overlap.
We start off with Bruce Willis in pursuit of Nick Stahl. Stahl has been on a killing spree and his soon to be next victim is the eleven year old Nancy Callahan. Willis is scheduled to retire, but his conscience won’t let him go without clearing up his last loose end and saving the young girl. In the resulting show-down, Willis is nearly killed and then convicted of the very crime he almost died to prevent. Meanwhile, the young Nancy writes him letters in prison over the next eight years. A confession ensures Willis’ release and as he finds Nancy, he also finds that she is yet again in danger from the same people he protected her from years ago.
The second main plot features Mickey Rourke as a tough street fighter who’s a touch insane and who has a soft spot for women. After a night of “kindness” offered to him by Jaime King, he wakes to find her dead. Immediately, the police are after him and he’s after the one who killed her. As the plot unravels we again see King, (who tries to kill him), then we encounter Elijah Wood, (who tries to kill him), and corrupt cops, (who try to kill him).
Our third plot focuses on Clive Owen. Owen is up against Benicio Del Toro, a corrupt cop who mistreats women. Through Owen’s adventure we delve into the depths of Old Towne, basically the prostitute’s guild. The fate of Del Toro triggers the beginning of what could escalate into an all out street war, which the prostitutes desperately try to prevent. Owen is in the midst of it all as he tries to help the women. A couple of near death encounters and explosions later, we see Owen’s face-off with Michael Clarke Duncan and the resulting blood bath that manages to avert disaster.
In the end we’re left with a lot of gore, gallons of blood, and characters who manage to have quite a lot of depth for the verging on melodramatic stories. Do we believe these larger-than-life characters are real people? Not quite. Do we love them? Absolutely.
Who is Ali Eickholt?
Ali is an English Major nerd who enjoys literature, music, and (of course) movies.
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