This is a different Jackie Chan in Director Martin Campbell’s “The Foreigner”, and that’s a great thing. Chan plays 60-year-old Chinese restaurant owner Quan Ngoc Minh, who lives in London. His life unravels when his teenage daughter Fan, played by bright Katie Leung, is murdered in the rogue IRA terrorist bombing. In the heart-wrenching scene First Responders discover bloodied Quan holding Fan in his arms amidst the ruble. After recovering from his wounds with the care of his dear friend Lam, compassionate pretty Tao Liu, Quan seeks vengeance upon his daughter’s murderers. Chan is compelling in sadness and controlled fury, so different than his usual whimsical persona. Martin Campbell, who directed Bond’s “Casino Royale”, smartly orchestrates the action after a slow start.
Campbell takes a little too much time at the beginning. The screenplay by David Marconi, based on Stephen Leather’s novel “The Chinaman” at times in overly convoluted with multiple layers of embedded betrayal. The methodical set up dilutes the powerful impact of the terrorist attack and the impact upon Chan’s Quan.
The rogue IRA attack surprises Liam Hennessy, played by very good Pierce Brosnan, who is the Irish Minister reporting to the British Prime Minister. Liam was a leader in the IRA 19 years ago. He is a complicated man to say the least. He has a wife Mary, suffering Orla Brady, who never forgave him for the death of her brother. Liam is having an affair with young Maggie, played by strong Charlie Murphy.
Quan wants the names of the men responsible for Fan’s murder, and determines that Liam is the man. Suddenly, Quan goes all MacGyver building explosives and the like. And for the mild-mannered grieving restaurant owner Quan stuns Liam’s henchmen in disposing of them with kung fu mastery. Liam is not facing just some middle-aged Chinese man. He calls upon his nephew Sean, stalwart Rory Fleck Byrne, to track down rival Quan. Campbell wisely lets the action play out as he reveals Quan’s secret past.
Jackie Chan is the amazing physical presence. At 65 years old he did most of, if not all of his action sequences. He is the true master of his art. What is refreshing is that his fighting has gravity to it like his performance. Chan and Campbell capture the urgency and profound sorrow of their Hero. He fights not so much out of revenge, rather out of love and justice. Chan is phenomenal taking on villains in the forest. The climactic fight of the narrative arc is cathartic. Chan gives his best and most compassionate performance.
“The Foreigner” may get bogged down in the beginning due to the complicated exposition. Once it catches its breath and unleashes Chan, it soars. It would be nice to see further adventures for Chan’s Quan. We shall see.
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Originally Published on IMDb