Denerstein: Cracks in credibility get best of 'Fracture'

Friday, April 20, 2007

Fracture is aptly named. It's one of those movies in which cracks appear the minute you begin to look too closely.

But slick movies - and this is one - often allow us to put nagging questions aside while we're watching. That's the major achievement here, and if you don't mind a thriller that can't withstand the most intense scrutiny, you may be willing to cut Fracture some slack.

This reasonably stylish effort, starring Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling, begins by trying to stand whodunit cliches on end. We know from the start that Hopkins' character - an aeronautical engineer who makes his living identifying stress points in airplanes - murdered his wife, and we also know why: infidelity. What we're not sure about is why Hopkins' Ted Crawford believes he can get away with a crime that appears to be a slam-dunk case for the prosecution. A weapon taken at the scene and Crawford's confession would seem to seal the deal.

A cocky L.A. assistant district attorney (Gosling) is so sure of himself that he thinks he can handle the whole business while making the transition to a new job with a high-powered law firm. He's had enough of public service and thinks it's time to go for the gold.

A few of the people I've talked to about Fracture were able to figure out the script's big secret before it was revealed in the final act. Even if you do the same, it shouldn't entirely negate the pleasure of watching Hopkins' character try to get the best of Gosling's Willy Beachum.

Gosling, recently nominated for an Oscar for his work in Half Nelson, is one of those actors (think Montgomery Clift) who doesn't easily fit into any mold. In a mainstream picture such as Fracture, he manages to blend into the story without entirely sacrificing his edge. He creates an ambitious character who has suddenly become a bit careless.

Hopkins does the expected old-pro job, giving us another morally suspect man who also thinks he's the smartest guy in the room. Crawford's bound to remind you (at least a bit) of Hannibal Lecter, albeit with a great L.A. house and no appetite for human flesh.

Hopkins can play these roles as easily as he can wink. He's become one of those actors whose presence suggests a level of seriousness and intelligence that can surpass the material with which he's working. That's certainly the case here.

Director Gregory Hoblit (Primal Fear) occasionally allows the pace to flag, but he keeps the settings interesting, and he does his best to glide past some treacherous plot holes.

David Straithairn (as L.A.'s district attorney) and Rosamund Pike (as the hotshot lawyer who's supposed to become Gosling's new boss) add a bit of depth and luster.

A movie such as Fracture exists to toy with an audience in much the same way that Hopkins' character taunts Gosling's young attorney. Fair enough. But even though the script tosses out the occasional idea ("knowledge is pain"), Fracture doesn't have as much credible game as this kind of entertainment needs.

Fracture

An engineer tries to get away with murder.

• Grade:C+
• Rated:R
• Running Time:112 minutes

Robert Denerstein is the film critic. denersteinb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5424