WHITE ELEPHANT (2022)

WHITE ELEPHANT (2022)

Tagline: Nope. 

(Action, Thriller, Bad Aim) [R]

Note: This movie was not given an MPAA rating. It very likely would have been a [R] due to language. 

I’ve had lots of luck lately, all of it bad. 

In this one, an ex-marine named Gabriel is the most trusted assassin for Arnold a crime boss. When he is asked to take out a cop named Vanessa, and start a war with another crime enterprise, he becomes increasingly conflicted about his lifestyle. As the reasons for this unfold, Gabriel is caught in loyalty to Arnold and his gut. 

First off, this thing is loaded with stars and a few are still at the top of their game. Michael Rooker (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY) is actually very solid in this. I didn’t feel like he mailed in any part of his performance here and he really stands out as Gabriel. We also get a very solid performance out of Olga Kurylenko who plays Vanessa. Olga is probably best known for a role people hated her in as the Taskmaster from BLACK WIDOW. This time around she gets a ton more screen time though and really shines here. We also get some brief sequences with John Malkovich (TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON) that come across like the director had no idea that he had a massive talent on his hand that might be worth putting on screen…a LOT. Malkovich as Glenn Follett is fine in the role but wasn’t given enough screen time to really evaluate. We also get some screen time from Bruce Willis as Arnold. This was a struggle for Bruce with his condition (aphasia). He is saying the lines but appears to be checked out. I am not going to bash this film based on his efforts. Bruce actually did a ton of films in 2022 and even has a few coming out in 2023, but hasn’t acted in months. As always, my prayers are with him and his family that they might be comforted in this situation. 

Action wise this one is actually pretty cool for a low-budget direct-to-video movie. I am not exactly sure why this only got a limited theatrical release if any, it’s the best of the recent Bruce Willis films and just Michael Rooker’s performance is worth checking this one out. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. Granted, this is not a giant-budget film, it’s more in the same vein as films like MEMORY, HOT SEAT, and KATE. The pacing is a bit weird. Frankly, the scenes with Glenn are informative and do show that the writers at least really wanted to get some parable-type stories in the mix, but as this movie wears on, seem more and more mislaid. 

Regarding the score, things are just okay and the soundtrack is forgettable. However, the plot I actually found interesting. On top of the fact that Vanessa is on the run, we also have a dynamic between Arnold and a rival crime syndicate. Just that touch gives this a few layers that make it not just another “reluctant assassin” movie, but it’s also not going to blow your mind. 

Overall the best I can do is give this one a 4 out of 7. We do get a pretty interesting film with solid action, but it also feels a lot like watching any good 2-episode storyline of any mob drama.

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