For its first hour or so, the story moves at a steady clip, generating enough mystery to keep you guessing and enough atmosphere to keep you interested.
The Reckoning (2004)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:84
Fresh:34
Rotten:50
Average Rating:5.6/10
Consensus: A talky, ponderous movie.
Theatrical Release:Mar 5, 2004 Limited
Synopsis: Set in England during the late 1300s, Paul McGuigan's THE RECKONING follows Nicholas (Paul Bettany), a young priest literally running from his past. After encountering a band of wandering actors,... Set in England during the late 1300s, Paul McGuigan's THE RECKONING follows Nicholas (Paul Bettany), a young priest literally running from his past. After encountering a band of wandering actors, Nicholas is grudgingly allowed into the fold by the good-natured Martin (Willem Dafoe). When the troupe reaches an impoverished village, they get word of a strange murder and look into the story as the basis for a new play. However, Nicholas and Martin uncover more than they'd expected, and soon a deeper mystery emerges. Meanwhile, as Nicholas attempts to find justice, he also struggles to come to terms with his own troubled history. A medieval murder mystery in the vein of THE NAME OF THE ROSE, THE RECKONING is based on the Barry Unsworth novel MORALITY PLAY. Under the artfully somber direction of previous collaborator McGuigan, Bettany turns in an excellent performance as a guilt-ridden priest struggling to atone for his sins. In addition to Dafoe, the film also features fine supporting actors such as Brian Cox and Gina McKee. Utilizing its historical backdrop to the fullest extent, THE RECKONING immerses the audience in its medieval setting, revealing the period's many hardships and enhancing the drama of this intriguing, unfolding mystery. [More]
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Paul Bettany, Brian Cox, Gina McKee
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Paul Bettany, Brian Cox, Gina McKee, Ewen Bremner, Vincent Cassel, Simon McBurney
Director: Paul McGuigan
Director: Paul McGuigan
Screenwriter: Mark Mills
Producer: Caroline Wood
Composer: Adrian Lee, Mark Mancina
Studio: Paramount Classics
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Reviews for The Reckoning
While the basic idea of this really old-school detective story seems admirable, the plot and the period just don't jibe.
A medieval thriller whose moral themes have great relevance to the crimes of today's rich and the powerful who see themselves as being beyond the reach of the law.
A murder mystery becomes the catalyst for a showdown between truth and art, but while both triumph in the end, there is no mystery to the murder
The story never gathers much dramatic momentum despite an impressive cast and a lot of dank Middle Ages atmosphere.
Proceeds with such leaden literal-mindedness that it never seems more than a stodgy (and, at times, blatantly silly) paperback affair.
Dafoe makes Martin's role as head of the company as naturalistic as that of any contemporary SoHo creative director.
In the final reckoning, this modern version of a medieval morality play, with its fine surface but problematic plot, proves more impressive for its body than its soul.
A dark, compelling story with a segment that doesn't quite fit the period piece, but the costumes, make-up, and overall tone brings the dark ages to life.
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June 22, 2005:
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