The Gerard Butler And Jamie Foxx Action Cult Classic On Streaming That’s More Fun Than It Should Be
Law Abiding Citizen, starring Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx, is currently streaming on Max. This riveting film delves deep into the realms of revenge, justice, and the grey areas that lie between. At its core, it asks a profound question about the nature of justice: Is it better to serve the law or to serve true justice?
Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler in Law Abiding Citizen
Law Abiding Citizen pits Gerard Butler against Jamie Foxx, with each of their characters certain that they are doing what’s morally correct.
In Law Abiding Citizen, Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler) is a loving father and husband whose life turns upside down when his family is brutally attacked during a home invasion.
Though the perpetrators are quickly caught, Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx), an ambitious assistant DA, makes a deal with one of the criminals to testify against his accomplice.
This deal results in one getting a death sentence while the other gets a lenient sentence, a choice that sets the stage for Clyde’s meticulous, calculated revenge against the legal system he feels failed him.
Clyde’s intensifying pursuit of vengeance pits him against Rice in a gripping game of cat-and-mouse, with the former orchestrating a series of devastating attacks from behind bars while the latter attempts to stop him.
The unfolding drama blurs the lines between hero and villain. These complexities leave viewers questioning the justice system’s effectiveness and morality.
In Law Abiding Citizen, Gerard Butler, best known for his roles in 300 and the Has Fallen series, delivers a standout performance as the complex Clyde, a character who oscillates between sympathy and terror.
Alongside him, Jamie Foxx, recognized for his roles in Ray and Django Unchained, skillfully plays Nick Rice. The duo’s performances are central to the film’s gripping narrative.
Law Abiding CitizenInterestingly, Gerard Butler was initially slated to play Nick Rice in Law Abiding Citizen. However, amidst varying accounts, Jamie Foxx ultimately secured the role, with Gerard Butler being recast as Clyde. Given their memorable performances, it’s hard to envision them in reversed roles.
Filming on Law Abiding Citizen commenced on January 17, 2009, primarily in various Philadelphia locations such as the City Hall, Laurel Hill Cemetery, and the shuttered Holmesburg Prison. Post-production, the film faced a potential NC-17 rating due to its violent content. However, the unedited version was later released unrated on Blu-ray.
Law Abiding Citizen was directed by F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job, Straight Outta Compton). Under Gray’s direction, the film masterfully blends elements of a thriller and a legal drama. Kurt Wimmer (Equilibrium) crafted the movie’s screenplay, whose expertise in action-packed pictures shines through.
Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx almost had the same career first when Law Abiding Citizen was nearly rated NC-17, but it was slightly toned down with an unrated cut available on Blu-ray.
Before F. Gary Gray took the helm of Law Abiding Citizen, Frank Darabont was the designated director and was refining Kurt Wimmer’s initial draft. However, Darabont departed over creative disagreements. His continued involvement would have undoubtedly shaped the film distinctly differently.
Upon its release, Law Abiding Citizen garnered mixed reviews. While some critics praised the performances of Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx, others felt the story’s third act leaned towards the implausible. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a score of 26 percent from critics.
Law Abiding Citizen
Even though Law Abiding Citizen received mixed reviews from critics, it resonated strongly with mainstream audiences. The movie holds a score of 75 percent from traditional viewers on Rotten Tomatoes. Moreover, it opened at #2 at the domestic box office and went on to gross nearly $128 million worldwide against a budget of around $50 million.
Last year, news broke about the development of a standalone sequel to Law Abiding Citizen, with Kurt Wimmer tapped to write the script. Gerard Butler is set to produce the film alongside Alan Siegel, Lucas Foster, Rob Paris, and Mike Witherill.
Plot details for the sequel have not been revealed, and there’s been no word on whether Jamie Foxx will be involved in the project, in front of the camera or behind the scenes.
Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx have had larger hits in their careers, but Law Abiding Citizen managed to double its budget, bringing in $128 million worldwide.
While you eagerly await further details about the sequel, fans and newcomers alike can dive into Law Abiding Citizen, now streaming on Max. This film, with its absolutely stellar performances led by Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx, offers cinematic excellence and a tense narrative that it grips you from start to finish.
Layered with thought-provoking themes, it challenges viewers to scrutinize the potential pitfalls of our justice system and consider how far an individual might traverse in the name of retribution.
