Based on a true story, the 2024 film The Firing Squad can be tense at times, and it’s a tearjerker, so be prepared for some drama.
SYNOPSIS
Peter Lone (James Barrington) is a drug dealer living the “high life” until caught by Indonesian officials and sentenced to death by firing squad. Lone attempts to escape, only to be caught again by the draconian prison captain (Tupua Ainu’u). The prison pastor (Kevin Sorbo) attempts to make an impression on Lone, who eventually accepts Christ as his Lord and Savior.
ACTING
The actors in this film (with the exception of Kevin Sorbo) seem self-conscious that the camera is on and recording them. As a result, there is the inevitable over-dramatizing of even the most low-profile scenes—particularly in the area of dialogue delivery, where naturalnesscould have given the film a boost.
The Firing Squad gave James Barrington, a newer face in the movie industry, a chance to shine. Whether he will make it to the top is hard to say, but he has potential. Although Barrington sometimes gives stock reactions and needs to lose the camera-shy, yet film-cocky look on his face, he has a personality that could take him far. His crying scene at altar call is completely believable. If those aren’t real tears, it’s one of the best male crying scenes in recent film, full of genuine pathos.
Kevin Sorbo brings talent and reverence to the film. His performance is exceptional and natural. (In his scenes with Barrington, the difference in acting experience and style is perceivable.) Cuba Gooding, Jr. lends humor and interest to the film. His role should have been lengthier.
The worst acting in the film comes from Tupua Ainu’u, who plays the prison captain.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
An interesting thing to note is Peter Lone’s (played by Barrington) behavior in a variety of emotional situations. The actor had a contrasting array of emotions to play, demonstrating his talent.
After drug-dealer Lone is put in custody, he melts into a coward. In prison, he develops a tough-guy exterior, and a smug “catch me if you can” attitude. Someone makes a reference to him as “Hollywood”, pronouncing what we already know—that the good-looking Lone has an ego and carries himself with a sense of entitlement as he flaunts his wealth, even as a prisoner sentenced to death by firing squad.
All this is stripped away when he accepts Christ, and the transformation is very apparent (a key point in the film). When debating the feelings of Christian vs. nonbelieving viewers, the latter might feel unaffected and bored with what to them might appear as pious nonsense. Or, quoting Lone near the beginning of the film, “Please not the God-thing.”
But at the point in the film when Lone accepts Christ, he becomes someone we’d all like to know. He’s likeable, has quiet courage, and is totally different. James Barrington played these different “roles” with skill, and that’s one tall order to fill for an essentially new star.
NOTABLE SCENES
An interesting technique used in telling the story is that it begins at the end (“My name is Peter Lone, and I am going to be executed by firing squad in 10 hours”), and visibly speed-rewinds to the beginning.
It has to be admitted that the escape plans devised by Lone and Samuel (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) are corny: “You meet me here . . . I’ve got outfits we can change into . . . We’ll walk out of here, no problem”. All this aside, when Lone and his two friends disguise as the media and manage to walk past the guards, you’re going to scoot to the edge of your seat and stay there as they clear the gate, get to the road, . . . and run!
Next, your heart will definitely increase its rhythm during the scene in which (the unsaved) Lone, after brashly degrading the captain in comparison to himself, essentially taunts the officer to kill him. The captain puts a handgun to Lone’s head. Unafraid, Lone takes control of the gun and jerks the barrel right to his brain, presses it there, and shouting, demands that the captain shoot him. This is the most intense scene in the film.
MUSIC
The song “I’d Rather Have Jesus” was a perfect choice for the end credits. In fact, it seems as if it could have been written by Peter Lone himself. Cuba Gooding, Jr.’s impulsive and energetic rendition of “Amazing Grace” sticks in your head.
CRITICISM
Without a doubt, the hair and fashion (particularly of the male cast) are so trendy and 2024, we will soon be looking back on the film as out of date.
Miriam and Lone’s romance was exceedingly fast-paced and stereotypical. It begins with his narration: “And then I saw her, the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen”. But it’s still one of the sweetest parts of the story.
It can be argued that there are a few loose ends in the plot, some extremely commonplace dialogue, and moments of overacting or inferior acting. Perhaps it’s also a little overly choreographed. It’s a film of simplicity, with an absence of intelligent plot to follow. However, these are the sole drawbacks to the film, which is worth the watch. In fact, you’ll quickly get caught up in the power of the story. Yes, reviewers overuse the term “powerful” and attribute it to just about every film, but The Firing Squad is truly powerful. It will pull at your heart.
