Book of Eli

Plot

In a post-apocalyptic world, 30 years have passed since a presumed nuclear explosion has left the world void of resources, water and even colour. A man named Eli walks the desolate and ravaged United States, heading ‘west’ in order to get a ‘book’ to those who need it.

One day he stumbles into a small town, run by the bibliophile Carnegie – who is searching for a book – and it might just happen to be the book Eli is carrying.

Now Eli must try to escape Carnegie’s clutches, and get the book to where it needs to go.

Direction

Directed by the Hughes Brothers, the colour spectrum plays an important role in what is seen on screen. As the world is devoid of colour, there is strong use of sepia tones, and several violent action sequences happen in the shadows.

This, along with other very subtle clues along the duration of the film seem to help with the big twist that occurs in the final few minutes of the film.

There are some genuinely great moments like the house shootout where a continuous take occurs that I thought was done well.

Cast/Characters

Denzel Washington plays Eli, and his charm and cinematic strength as a lead actor is what makes this film so memorable. He is both soft natured to those who require it (Solara, Claudia) and menacing to those who deserve it.

Gary Oldman is well cast as Carnegie, who is desperate to find a certain book. Both he and Washington’s more adult age is part of the film as they both discuss life ‘pre-flash’.

Mila Kunis is sound as Solara, the daughter of Claudia, who joins Eli on his journey to get his book to ‘the west’. While she is okay in the role, I really did not find her all that memorable.

Jennifer Beals plays Carnegie’s blind mistress – whose disability plays a fairly significant part of the film – especially in the later parts of the film, once the reveal occurs.

Screenplay/Setting/Themes

Religion and faith are strong themes in the film as Eli is clearly carrying a Bible. He reads it every day, and when questioned about the book by Carnegie – it is clear this is the book Carnegie desires too. They both want it for different reasons; Eli to get it to those who deserve it the most, and Carnegie – to almost preach for self-preservation and control others.

Eli is also a nomad, preferring to work, and walk alone. he is able to open up to Solara, almost acting as a father figure to her at time when he protects her.

Eli also has an almost ‘unkillable’ quality that the bible gives him throughout much of the film, which at times even some of Carnegie’s men seem to both notices, and almost admire at times.

Overall

From the way the movie is filmed with the absence of colour, Washington’s brilliant performance, an always over the top Oldman – this film hits the nail on the head.

The final twist that occurs in the final few minutes of the film blew me away, I had to go back and look for the clues to catch them.

A solid film, well worth a watch, despite the negative critical response to the film.

4/5