"Those who wish me death": Jolie fights PTSD and fire, and this is interesting

On May 13, a new thriller by Taylor Sheridan with Angelina Jolie in the title role was released in Russia. Sheridan has written scripts for such films as "The Assassin" and "At Any Cost", and his directorial work - "Windy River" and the series "Yellowstone" - received fairly high marks from critics.

Most often, he shoots according to his own scripts, but this time he took as a basis the novel of the same name by Michael Corita. Where there are almost all topics close to Sheridan: crime, lawlessness, violence against innocent people.

Daring firefighter Hannah Faber works in the forest air guard. But she is tormented by a post-traumatic syndrome: a woman saw how unfamiliar children died in the fire. In the end, she leaves the position and moves to the fire tower as a caretaker, simultaneously fighting her suicidal thoughts.

Meanwhile, forensic accountant Owen Kasserly incurred the wrath of some high-ranking people, stumbling upon incriminating information about them. Now he and his son Connor are pursued by professional hitmen who have already killed the district attorney, who also found out about the fraud.

Still from the film "Those Who Wish Me Death"

Kasserly Sr. also dies, but the boy manages to hide in the forest, where Hannah finds him and takes him under her care. Now they have to get out of the thicket alive and pass the compromising evidence to journalists. It will not be easy, as the mercenaries not only chase them, but also set up a terrible forest fire.

Incredibly beautiful and strong women

At first glance, Angelina Jolie is not exactly an obvious candidate for the role of a broken parachutist. Although the actress had a great time playing both a weak, desperate person ("Gia", "Substitution"), and an impenetrable heroine of action movies ("Wanted", "Salt"). Rather, the point is that Jolie's fox gaze and chiseled cheekbones do not combine well with the severity of the environment.

A scene from the film "Those Who Wish Me Death"

On the other hand, it is the artist's textured appearance that helps create a contrast between expressive femininity and the tests that fall on the character's lot. This puts Hannah on a par with the heroines of "The Assassin" and "Windy River", who also showed remarkable will and courage even when the men gave in.

Another striking female image is the heroine of Medina Senghour. Despite the fact that her storyline is secondary, the character is not lost against the background of the main conflict and is perfectly remembered.

Faded male characters and run-of-the-mill killers

Unfortunately, there are no expressive male characters in the film. First of all, this concerns the tandem of hitmen Patrick and Jack (Nicholas Hoult and Aidan Gillen). In theory, the viewer should hate these cold-blooded killers. But in fact, it is difficult to experience something for them, because they are completely devoid of any interesting features.

Another oddity is revealed if you read the synopsis. According to the plot, Jack and Patrick are father and son, they even bear the same surname - Blackwell. But it is not at all obvious from their behavior that they are related to each other. And in the Russian dubbing, Holt's character even refers to his partner as “Jack,” and not “dad,” as one might expect. In addition, viewers will not be told what kind of relationship the characters have or how they got to work.

Sheriff Noble Ethan Sawyer (played by John Bernthal, one of Taylor Sheridan's favorites) is also essentially a faceless extra. The performer himself is very charismatic, but the script that is stingy with emotions does not allow him to open up properly or at least utter any interesting remarks.

The true villains who hired the killers generally remain behind the scenes. They are only mentioned once as officials who “have something to lose”.

Exciting action and overlooked plot details

In general, the script is pretty good and keeps you on your toes. But sometimes it gives the impression of a puzzle, from which pieces fall off. So, in the first third of the picture there is a very beautiful scene when the heroes meet a wild horse. Whether it happened or not, the episode is steeped in suspense. Everything is set up as if the animal will then play some role. But this is not happening.

There is also enough plot confusion. For example, at the very beginning we are informed that Hannah and Ethan once met. This immediately reads as an entry into an interpersonal drama, but it does not unfold. And it is not clear why this information was thrown in at all, because it does not help the plot in any way.

The action, especially in the final part, is so exciting that you don't pay attention to minor flaws. But only then you realize that the heroes do not even cough or gasp when they run through the burning forest. A regular gas mask helps other characters to escape the flames.

The film turned out not weaker, but still much simpler than the previous works of Taylor Sheridan. The ending of the same "Windy River" left the viewer crushed. But "Those Who Wish Me Death" is just a good, solid and a little old-fashioned picture about overcoming oneself. It is unlikely to become a revelation for someone, but it will definitely not repel.