Misconduct

Lionsgate

Reviewed by: Tami Smith, Guest Reviewer for Shockya

Grade: B-

Director: Shintaro Shimosawa

Written by: Adam Mason, Simon Boyes

Cast: Josh Duhamel, Al Pacino, Anthony Hopkins, Malin Akerman, Julia Stiles, Alice Eve

Release Date: February 5, 2016

Misconduct, originally titled Beyond Deceit, opens “by-the-numbers”, introducing us to Ben (Josh Duhamel) a dedicated lawyer who spends most of his days and nights working at a New Orleans law firm, determined to prove himself to the firm’s big honcho Abrams (Al Pacino) and become a partner. He barely pays attention to his wife Charlotte (Alice Eve), a hospital nurse who works long shifts at the E.R. of a city hospital, and suffered a miscarriage recently. When an opportunity for a big law suite arises Ben wants to take it but has to prove to Abrams that he can win the case. The suite involves Denning (Anthony Hopkins), a pharmaceutical C.E.O. who is responsible for death of hundreds during a company drug trial.

At this point Miconduct becomes mis-directed and mis-written. Screen writers Adam Mason and Simon Boyes introduce viewers to some characters that throw the plot in all directions. We meet Emily (Malin Akerman), an old flame of Ben that has other plans for him; An accountant (Byung-hun Lee) who works at the law firm by day, but moonlights as a hit man, with religious intentions and stage-four Tuberculosis to boot; and Doug (Glen Powell) Ben’s best friend and colleague, who is a lawyer by day but a computer hacker at night.

Acting is top priority for director Shintaro Shimosawa, so audiences are treated to excellent performances by Anthony Hopkins and Al Pacino, but the screen play becomes convoluted as Misconduct moves along, with many plot holes that do not add up and defy logic. Top honors go to Frederico Jusid for composing an original soundtrack and The Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra for a resonating execution.

At the end viewers may not care one way or another about this wintery tale, which is scheduled for a February release in theaters.

Rated R. 106 minutes.  © Tami Smith, Guest Reviewer

Story: C+

Acting: B+

Technical: B

Overall: B-