Reel Critics
- Share via
Jim Erwin
Colonel Winter (James Gandolfini), is the dictatorial warden of a
military prison named The Castle. He maintains control of the inmate
population using cruelty and coldblooded murder. Eugene Irwin (Robert
Redford), is a well-respected Army General, POW camp survivor and a
soldier’s soldier. His only wishes are to serve out his prison sentence
at The Castle with dignity and to see his grandson when his sentence is
over.
As “The Last Castle” unfolds, Gandolfini desperately tries to break
Redford’s spirit. The clash of wills is a story of virtue versus
inhumanity and good versus evil. Given the shallow nature of Hollywood
movies, is there any doubt which character will emerge victorious?
The cast of “The Last Castle” proves that good acting can overcome a
laughable cliche-ridden script. The terrific performances by Redford,
Gandolfini and the entire cast, make this a movie worth watching.
Redford is credible and compelling as the man who quietly leads by
example. Gandolfini’s conflicting emotions about Redford -- resentment
and desire to win approval -- make his character into a pitiful bully
that is fun to hate. The performances by the rest of the cast -- inmates
and guards -- are the brush strokes of a finely crafted work.
Unfortunately the script for “The Last Castle” contains no surprises.
There is no reason to feel empathy for Colonel Winter, or to feel anger
toward the murderers and drug dealers among the prison inmates. Soon
after arriving Redford is able to facilitate a miraculous human
transformation so unbelievable that it should have included an inmate
choir singing Swing on a Star. The battle over control of the prison yard
is contrived, unbelievable and totally entertaining.
This is a fun b-movie, the kind of thing I’d watch over and over on
HBO. If you are a fan of Redford, or movies about the good little guy
versus the big bad guy, “The Last Castle” is a movie you will want to
see.
* JIM ERWIN, 39, is a technical writer and computer trainer.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.