Death Sentence (2007)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

James Wan

Writers (WGA):

Ian Jeffers (screenplay)
Brian Garfield (novel)

Release Date:

31 August 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Protect What's Yours

Plot:

Nick Hume is a mild-mannered executive with a perfect life, until one gruesome night he witnesses something that changes him forever. Transformed by grief, Hume eventually comes to the disturbing conclusion that no length is too great when protecting his family.

Plot Keywords:

Death | Revenge | Cut Hand | Father Son Relationship | Gore

Awards:

1 nomination

US TV Schedule:

Sat. July 18

12:35 AM

HBO

Cast

Kevin Bacon	...	Nick Hume
Garrett Hedlund	...	Billy Darley
Kelly Preston	...	Helen Hume
Jordan Garrett	...	Lucas Hume
Stuart Lafferty	...	Brendan Hume
Aisha Tyler	...	Detective Wallis
John Goodman	...	Bones Darley
Matt O'Leary	...	Joe Darley (as Matthew O'Leary)
Edi Gathegi	...	Bodie
Hector Atreyu Ruiz	...	Heco
Kanin Howell	...	Baggy
Dennis Keiffer	...	Jamie
Freddy Bouciegues	...	Tommy
Leigh Whannell	...	Spink
Casey Pieretti	...	Dog

MPAA:

Rated R for strong bloody brutal violence and pervasive language.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:18 | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | UK:18 | Germany:18 | Netherlands:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Taiwan:R-18 | South Korea:18 | Singapore:M18 | France:-12 | USA:R (certificate #43539) | Australia:MA | Norway:15 | New Zealand:R18 | Malaysia:18SG | Finland:K-18 | South Korea:15 (cable rating) | Portugal:M/18 | Peru:18 | Argentina:18 | Chile:18

Filming Locations:

Columbia, South Carolina, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Originally, the film was to take place in Boston, Massachusetts before the director decided to have the film set in Columbia, South Carolina. The novel, completely different from the movie, took place in Chicago, Illinois.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the running gun battle in "the office", Nick (while still wielding the shotgun), cocks the same pistol at least two different times before he ever uses it.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Nicholas "Nick" Hume: [while recording his family at Christmas] Okay, guys. Ready?

Movie Connections:

References Saw (2004)

Soundtrack:

Hey Joe

A Stunning And Gut-wrenching Experience

I've been debating about how to review this film...and you know what? I'll keep it as lean and focused as "Death Sentence" was. I got to view some fine film-making, expertly acted and directed. Bacon has always been an actor whose dives head-first into difficult roles, and this one covers a wide range of emotions...from family concern and love to grief to rage to fear to finally cold machine-like calm. I was particularly impressed with James Wan, who really raised his game to A-list level, easily creating moments of drama, action and suspense. His skill gave the film moments of real entertainment, because the plot was not...it's bleak and brutal, and hardly ever lets up...but like Rob Zombie's "The Devil's Rejects" or William Friedkin's "Bug", the film will stay with me for a long time.