In "Absolution", released after the tradition of Liam Neeson's tough-guy dad thrillers since 2008's "Taken," we see a variation of the norm. The title character, known only as "Thug," steps away from the traditional law enforcement roles Neeson is known for. Instead, he embarks on a journey into the criminal world, with the adversities faced by his children resulting from his own parental neglect.
Akin to Neeson's 2022 film "Memory," "Thug" is a man living with increasingly diminished cognitive abilities. Having been a former boxer as well as serving as an enforcer for a Boston gangster for thirty years, Thug is grappling with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a result of a lifelong experience of concussions, cutting him a daunting deadline. This plotline prompts Thug to come to terms with his mortality and atone for his wrongdoings whilst reconnecting with his estranged daughter, Daisy, and getting to know his unknown grandson, Dre.
Norwegian director Hans Petter Moland, who has worked with Neeson before, brings this redemption-driven thriller to life with well-paced scenes underscored by a melancholic score. Tony Gayton's screenplay, while not fully spared from clichés and contrivances, notably establishes a solid emotional resonance with the audience. Portraying the daily struggles of a career criminal coping with aging and mental health issues, the film retains its engaging factor throughout.
Despite the character's progression to a hardened criminal lifestyle, Thug's character displays fragility. This is especially evidenced when his staggering memory loses gradually impair his capacity to take care of himself, fueling his drive to mend ways with his daughter.
In this unique tale of redemption, the premise does not fail to fascinate even when it foreshadows seemingly predictable outcomes. Liam Neeson's lends his innate command and presence as an actor, and the supporting cast enhances the narrative's emotional depth.
Albeit a few rigidity and redundancies in its portrayal of masculinity, the movie excels in nuanced scenes, adding an unexpected emotional substance in the crime thriller genre. "Absolution" may not necessarily echo the intensity of Neeson's 2012 film "The Grey," but its thoughtful character study concludes satisfyingly with room for introspection. This combination of emotion and action provides a solid footing in the genre of middle-tier entertainment films. The emotional substance seen in "Absolution" is a welcome sight, signaling a potential shift in Neeson's future projects.
