A SCORE TO SETTLE Pairs Ku’s Contemplation with Cage’s Fervor

Photo by Jessandy Studios www.jessica-andy.ca @jessandyphoto

Having a close connection to the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, director Shawn Ku penned and filmed a very personal film in 2010 that really put him on the map. That film, Beautiful Boy, is a far different one than his latest project, Nic Cage revenge thriller A Score to Settle. Yet, Ku’s new film isn’t as cut and dry or exploitative as many revenge films are. Taking a different approach, this film spends a lot of time looking at family, mortality, and inner struggle.

Frank definitely struggles between his past and his present and his violence and his love as a parent, but love in general. I think that explores, hopefully slightly, what we struggle with as human beings in our society – the need for revenge and the need to try to move on and live your best life. I think it feels, oddly enough, a basic human struggle that we clearly are still struggling with today.

As per usual, Nic Cage is a tour de force in this one. Released from prison due to illness, Frank (Cage) must navigate his return to society, his failing health, the destruction he caused in his past, and his desire to seek vengeance. As has become the standard with much of Cage’s recent work, things are not always what they seem. Real life and perceptions can blend into a confusing back and forth. While the rest of the cast members hold their own, this is very much the Nic Cage show from start to finish.

All said and done, Cage’s on screen presence and Ku’s direction work together to form a strong thriller that is as much about the human condition as it is about anything else. It can be a bit bizarre and different from what you’d expect, but that simply makes for a more entertaining and interesting film.


Check out my full interview with the director, Shawn Ku that the quote above is taken from.

thepaintedman
Justin has been running websites since his first Geocities site in 1994, but only did he ever start covering anything of substance years later. After he stopped regularly running local concerts in Northern NJ and the greater Philly area, he knew he needed to step up his writing game if he expected to continue to get free music to listen to. He writes regularly here and at Cinapse, as well as contributing to a few other sites on occasion. He likes music, film, the Philadelphia Eagles, the 76ers, talking about Criminal Justice, reading Intelligence Report, and his family... not in that order. His beautiful wife is far more talented than he is and his kids far more adorable... and crazy.
thepaintedman on Emailthepaintedman on Facebookthepaintedman on Instagramthepaintedman on Twitterthepaintedman on Wordpress

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *