THE RHYTHM SECTION – A Review by Cynthia Flores
I love the fact that this film about a strong female character was directed by a strong female director, Reed Morano. She is a well-respected director of photography, and this is her third feature film to direct. So the action sequences look great. The story revolves around an ordinary young woman, Stephanie Patrick (Blake Lively). She is on a path of self-destruction after her family is tragically killed in a plane crash. When Stephanie discovers that the crash was not an accident, she enters a dark, complex world of spies and terrorists. She is seeking bloody revenge on those responsible and in that revenge finds her own redemption. With the help of B (Jude Law), a suspended MI6 agent who has decided to train her, she crosses the point of no return. As he’s teaching her how to shoot, he tells her to calm down, and listen to her heart. “The beats are your rhythm section, and your breathing is the bass drum.” This allows her to steady her aim. Once training is over and she is out in the field, she will be pushed to her limits. With a lot of grit and a little luck, Stephanie may live to reach her goal.
The Rhythm Section is not going to be the next La Femme Nikita or even Atomic Blonde. The backstory and everything that Stephanie goes through after the loss of her family is seedier than those specialized trained killers. Also B, her “mentor in mayhem,” has ghosts that he has to wrestle with as well. I would have enjoyed the film more if they had fleshed out his side of the story as much as they did hers. I can’t give this film as high a rating is it should have gotten. Because at the end of the film, the story seems a bit cobbled together to accommodate the impressive chase scenes.
I give The Rhythm Section 3-stars. It’s still worth watching on the big screen, but perhaps catch it at a matinee.
Directed by: Reed Morano
Written by: Mark Burnell
Rated R
Selig Rating 3 Stars
Running Time: 1hr 49min
Drama / Action
Wide Release: January 30th
Starring: Blake Lively, Jude Law, Sterling K. Brown
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
