A Film that is more festive than you realize.
This is The Bone Collector, a 1999 Film based on a 1997 Book of the same name. That last part is going to make things weirder later.
The Film was somewhat rushed into production after similar feeling/looking Books to Seven were all being snatched up. Studios know what worked, so make more of it! It comes to us from a Director (Phillip Noyce) with quite a few big Films on his Resume- Patriot Games, Sliver, The Saint & Clear and Present Danger- so he's no slouch.
He's also done many Films about serious topics- like Rabbit-Proof Fence, Above Suspicion and The Quiet American- that I'll likely never cover. Sorry, Mr. Noyce.
The Plot involves an injured Detective working with a Rookie to solve a murder, that soon becomes a series of them. Can they overcome their differences and disabilities to stop the killer?
To see why this was turned into a Show (that I might check out), read on...
A Cop- Denzel Washington- is trying to rescue someone in a tunnel when a CGI piece of debris (which is better than the CGI Car in the last Film) falls on him.
He's now a quadriplegic.
On top of that, the way he got his injury has lead to him being at a high risk of serious seizures.
A large one could, sadly, make him a 'vegetable.'
As such, he's got a Doctor to agree to administer End of Life Care to him...in a week.
Separately, a young Cop- Angelina Jolie- checks on a Homeless Kid and stumbles across a Crime Scene, which she documents.
This relates to the earlier kidnapping of a Couple we saw by an unseen man or woman.
Since the victim was a rich guy and his Wife is still missing, it becomes a high-profile case. Denzel, being a once high-profile Cop- was enough clout to put Jolie on the case, being his eyes and ears on the ground.
This creates a conflict with the Chief- Michael Rooker- which pays off later.
Sadly, they don't figure out the clues fast enough to save the woman.
From his home, Denzel asks Jolie to 'cut off body's hands, so that they can hopefully get prints from the cuffs that he claims 'forensics would just screw up.'
She can't do it and leaves...for once Scene and later comes back.
The killer takes another victim and they are, again, too late to save them.
This time it seems intentional by the killer, however, as they are set up to fail.
This leads to the duo being 'off the case' (Second Act Conflict Cliche #5)!
They keep working it unofficially, of course, and try to figure out how to save the next 2 potential victims.
The clues lead them to a Book called...The Bone Collector (???) and this helps them get there in time to save one of the victims.
Jolie learns too late who the real target is and rushes to save Denzel. Who is it?
Well, in the first Scene, we see this Tech who works to fix Denzel's equipment. He shows up once more to 'finish his work.'
Well, he's the killer and he unloads his back story and motivation like the bad guys in all good Mysteries do.
Denzel manages to fend him off using his wits- and the bed's controls- until the day could be saved.
In the final Scene, IT IS CHRISTMAS! Ho ho ho!
It's a happy ending as Denzel's Lincoln has decided to keep living and reunites with his family. There are 13 more Books, but no Sequels.
A pretty good Film that is definitely elevated by the Cast. I'll also say this- the Title is a bit of an unnecessary roadblock to viewership too.
While the Title comes from the Book (both literal and Plot-wise), it doesn't really relate much to the content and likely scared off many people. It still made $151 million, mind you, so maybe I'm dumb.
It is probably why the Show was called Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector though.
In case you didn't catch the sarcasm earlier, the ending reveals is kind of silly and cheap. It is a misdirection, but it is also not informed by the Plot- at all. His motivations are setup or even hinted at until he states them.
The Film really hinges upon its Lead Actors to carry the weight. Thankfully, they are up to the task, be it the complexity of Denzel's part, the emotion showed by Jolie or even the caring showed by Queen Latifah here.
Too bad another Cast Member who'd make it big later only gets 1 Scene. Hi and Bye, Bobby Cannavale!
Next up, let me switch to something lighter and more fun. How about another John Carpenter Film that I've neglected so far? Stay tuned...
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