I don't like spoilers, so I've attempted to keep this pretty spoiler free.

My parents got prescreening tickets for Fracture. The film looked complete to me, but the trailer on the official site contains clips of a “love” scene that wasn’t present in the version of the movie I saw. However usually the removal of such a scene doesn’t do any damage to the story line. My dad and I were trying to figure out why it has an R rating . All we can think of is the presence of the F-word (at least I don‘t think you can have that word in a PG-13). Perhaps the apparently missing “love” scene gives it the R rating as well.

The basic storyline is one of a drama. Ted Crawford’s wife gets shot. The DA, Willy Beachum, gets what appears to be an open and shut case, but then discovers the case isn‘t as simple as it seems. The hotshot DA is confident the man he’s trying to convict, is the man who shot Mrs. Crawford, but Willy finds it very difficult to build his case against the man.

Fracture isn't a who-dunnit, the audience knows exactly who shot Mrs. Crawford. Instead it’s about how the prosecutor is going to catch a twisted criminal. I didn’t feel the film had much suspense. I’m also not sure it was suppose to, but that was the feeling I got from the TV trailers, which by the way, are different from the one on the official site. The movie kept my attention and was enjoyable to watch, I think the strength of the movie is in the game the guilty played with the DA. However I don’t feel it was a very strong movie otherwise. The explanation of how the crime was pulled off made sense on the surface, but I felt an important detail in the account was illogically to be assumed.

Everything has a weak spot if you look close enough, inculding this movie. My recommendation is you go see the movie in matinee or if your first choice is sold out. I think the movie doesn’t have much to distinguish itself as memorable. Anthony Hopkins did a great job of playing his character and I liked Ryan Gosling’s portrayal of a cocky and ambitious prosecutor, but a movie needs more than good actors. I can't say the movie was horrible, but I can't say it was wonderful either. I consider the the movie to be ok, an average movie with an average storyline. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, not every movie can be the best. If you think the movie looks interesting, go see it. If you are short on cash or have a long list of other movies you're interested in, perhaps you should wait.

Recommended: Yes

Movie Mood: Serious Movie
Viewing Method: Sneak Preview at My Local Theater
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Plot