Storyline
Is there room for principle in Los Angeles? Mike Terry teaches jujitsu and barely makes ends meet. His Brazilian wife, whose family promotes fights, wants to see Mike in the ring making money, but to him competition is degrading. A woman sideswipes Mike's car and then, after an odd sequence of events, shoots out the studio's window. Later that evening, Mike rescues an action movie star in a fistfight at a bar. In return, the actor befriends Mike, gives him a gift, offers him work on his newest film, and introduces Mike's wife to his own - the women initiate business dealings. Then, things go sour all at once, Mike's debts mount, and going into the ring may be his only option.
Directors
Writers
Cast
Joe Mantegna, David Paymer, Emily Mortimer, Jake Johnson, Rodrigo Santoro, Max Martini, Tim Allen, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Ricky Jay, Alice Braga, Bob Jennings, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Randy Couture, Caroline de Souza Correa, Matt Malloy, Rebecca Pidgeon, Steve DeCastro, Vincent Guastaferro, Jennifer Grey, John Machado, Ray Mancini, Cathy Cahlin Ryan
Trailer
Reviews
91
The A.V. Club
The film unravels a bit in the last few moments, amid unanswered story questions and a simplistic climax, but until that moment, Redbelt is Mamet's richest film of the decade.
83
Mamet regulars Ricky Jay and Joe Mantegna blend well with Mamet newbie Tim Allen, a treat as a spoiled-rotten aging Hollywood action star.
80
As the heart and soul of the film, Chiwetel Ejiofor once again impresses.
75
Rolling Stone
Mamet is on his game, and that is a sight to see. No con.
75
Premiere
For whatever its flaws, Redbelt offers up a good deal of Mametian red meat while also trying to break out of some of the strictures that Mamet's erected around his own work.
