Released last fall and apparently attracting little notice, The Foreigner is a surprisingly smart, complex thriller that didn’t deserve to be overlooked. Director Martin Campbell (GoldenEye, Casino Royale), working from David Marconi’s screenplay adaptation of Stephen Leather’s 1992 novel The Chinaman, delivers an exciting yet thought-provoking film that doesn’t shy away from tough moments. Here’s the trailer for the film.
When the only daughter of Chinese immigrant restaurant owner and chef Ngoc Mihn Quan (an unusually sober but effective Jackie Chan) is among those killed in the bombing of a London clothing store, the father decides to seek revenge. Credit for the bombing is taken by a group calling themselves “The Authentic IRA,” whom Quan realizes may be connected to former IRA member and current Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Liam Hennessy (an appropriately nasty Pierce Brosnan; like Chan, also cast effectively against type). When Hennessy, who is indeed connected to the bombing, refuses to help, Quan takes matters into his own hands and tries to force (by various means, including going one on one with Hennessy’s bodyguards) the Minister to reveal who was behind the bombing. While the two men engage in a battle of wits, what are the Authentic IRA planning to do next? And how does it tie in with Hennessy’s wife (who Hennessy’s been cheating on) and associates?
Campbell and Marconi do a good job of weaving a very dense plot while also providing thrills. Chan’s fight scenes, not as plentiful as usual, are still exciting, and there’s a tense climax involving the bombers’ hideout. Also good are the various sub-themes within the film, focusing on individual loyalties and political opportunism. Everybody is out for something in this film, with even the good guys getting down and dirty in the aforementioned brutal hideout scene. But only Quan’s need to avenge his daughter’s death is shown as being anywhere near honorable.
The two stars give excellent performances and are greatly assisted by a fine supporting cast (including Michael McElhatton, Charlie Murphy, Orla Brady as Hennessy’s wife-with-a-secret, and Ray Fearon). If you like smart, challenging thrillers, The Foreigner is for you!
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