Author Lawrence Block has written many a gritty crime novel, but Hollywood hasn’t had the best of luck bringing his work to the big screen. In fact, the track record has been downright disastrous. Tinseltown efforts have included the 1986 flop 8 Million Ways to Die as well as the 1987 Whoopi Goldberg misfire, Burglar. The latest adaptation is A Walk Among the Tombstones. The film certainly tries to create a tone as dark and serious as its source material. However, the low-key approach doesn’t muster up much in the way of thrills or excitement for the viewer.
Matt Scudder (Liam Neeson) is an ex- alcoholic and cop turned unlicensed private detective who seems to take on cases based solely on his personal interest. He’s initially resistant when widower/drug trafficker Kenny Kristo (Dan Stevens) approaches him about finding the parties responsible for the death of his wife. However, after learning of the brutal circumstances, Scudder agrees and begins combing for clues. Along the way, he befriends and attempts to help a smart but homeless youngster named TJ (Astro).
It’s a basic plot without bells and whistles, with Scudder wandering from person to person and interviewing them for details. As he listens to their accounts (shown in flashback), he slowly begins to form a picture of who is responsible. Much of the neighborhood is shot in drab tones echoing the mood of the story. And every once in a while, there is an interesting visual touch (the camera mounted on side of a van and filming a disturbed individual through a vibrating side mirror). There’s little to no score used throughout and as a result much of what is happening hinges on the verbal interplay.
The dialogue even makes it clear that while the filmmakers are attempting to stay grimy, they are also evoking the hard-boiled spirit of Sam Spade and Philip Marlow detective stories. Along the way, there are a few verbal zips and observations that hit the mark and garner a chuckle. Scudder also has a tendency to relate the events he sees and experiences according to AA’s 12 Step Program. It’s an interesting touch, even if the correlations often seem a stretch. Sadly, with the exception of a few comments the tough guy dialogue falls flat overall.
It’s unfortunate that while the movie strives to keep events stark and realistic, it’s never quite as convincing as it should be. Despite the visual techniques and minimalist approach, it still feels like a slick and polished Hollywood movie. It doesn’t help that the story itself is so predictable. There are no surprises or twists at all. In fact, it soon becomes certain that Scudder can’t do much before the killers attempt another crime, making the investigation itself somewhat listless. Viewers also don’t see much of the killers other than a menacing moment or two and aren’t really given a sense of the reasons behind their actions.
Due to these circumstances, the story seems to simmer for an extended period without ever coming to a boil. Only during the final act is there any real threat and by this point most viewers are likely to have checked out. The cast all are excellent considering the difficult material and they make it intermittently interesting. It’s the story that isn’t quite original or dramatic enough to raise the pulse. A Walk Among the Tombstones is a good try that ultimately doesn’t quite come to life.