Reel Critics

Jim Erwin

Colonel Winter (James Gandolfini), is the dictatorial warden of a

military prison named The Castle. He maintains control of the inmate

population using cruelty and coldblooded murder. Eugene Irwin (Robert

Redford), is a well-respected Army General, POW camp survivor and a

soldier’s soldier. His only wishes are to serve out his prison sentence

at The Castle with dignity and to see his grandson when his sentence is

over.

As “The Last Castle” unfolds, Gandolfini desperately tries to break

Redford’s spirit. The clash of wills is a story of virtue versus

inhumanity and good versus evil. Given the shallow nature of Hollywood

movies, is there any doubt which character will emerge victorious?

The cast of “The Last Castle” proves that good acting can overcome a

laughable cliche-ridden script. The terrific performances by Redford,

Gandolfini and the entire cast, make this a movie worth watching.

Redford is credible and compelling as the man who quietly leads by

example. Gandolfini’s conflicting emotions about Redford -- resentment

and desire to win approval -- make his character into a pitiful bully

that is fun to hate. The performances by the rest of the cast -- inmates

and guards -- are the brush strokes of a finely crafted work.

Unfortunately the script for “The Last Castle” contains no surprises.

There is no reason to feel empathy for Colonel Winter, or to feel anger

toward the murderers and drug dealers among the prison inmates. Soon

after arriving Redford is able to facilitate a miraculous human

transformation so unbelievable that it should have included an inmate

choir singing Swing on a Star. The battle over control of the prison yard

is contrived, unbelievable and totally entertaining.

This is a fun b-movie, the kind of thing I’d watch over and over on

HBO. If you are a fan of Redford, or movies about the good little guy

versus the big bad guy, “The Last Castle” is a movie you will want to

see.

* JIM ERWIN, 39, is a technical writer and computer trainer.