Reclaiming a television, sofa or car is a common occurrence in the life of a repossession man. Yet, many would find it strange if the bank or other financial institution repossessed one's heart, lung or kidneys. This is the premise of Miguel Sapochnik's edgy new movie, ""Repo Men.""
The story is simple. In the near future, biomedical engineering has produced artificial organs that save lives, for a price. The Union is a company specializing in artificial organs, which cost upwards of $600,000. With prices like this, patients often cannot afford to pay the cost outright and choose a financial payment plan that works for their lifestyle. When payments become overdue, enter best friends and repo men Remy (Jude Law) and Jake (Forest Whitaker). Under the watchful eye of Union manager Frank (Liev Schreiber), Remy and Jake repossess overdue organs with a sense of professionalism and chilling ruthlessness. After an accident during his final repo, Remy is forced to take on an artificial heart from his employer. Following his brush with death, Remy is hard-pressed to continue to repossess organs by force. Not being able to work causes Remy to find himself on the other side of the repossession trade. The film continues with Remy running from his former employer and former friend, trying to stay alive at all costs.
The plot is enough to drive the action, but the story comes off as slow-moving. The keys to the film's success are its gratuitous violence and superb acting. Law, Whitaker and Schreiber deliver solid performances, along with guest appearances from RZA (Wu-Tang Clan) and Yvette Nicole Brown (NBC's ""Community""). Law is a ruthless surgeon/repo man, yet still plays a believable father and caring lover. Whitaker plays an overly aggressive repo man who cares enough about his partner to not let his employer take Remy's artificial heart easily. Finally, Schreiber, who always delivers a memorable performance in any role he takes on, truly exudes the air of a wealthy businessman who is willing to do anything to make a sale.
It's surprising in an action movie to see such terrific performances. Yet, don't let this take away from the fact that ""Repo Men"" is an action movie. The audience needs to leave their brains at the door and take in the excessive violence and blood displayed. Scenes of surgery are intermixed with scenes of Law taking on five to 10 baddies with knives, a hacksaw and a pair of hammers. Sapochnik doesn't hesitate to show blood splatters on windows, floors and characters themselves. By the end of the movie, the audience has seen it all. Those with queasy stomachs should avoid ""Repo Men.""
Overall, ""Repo Men"" is a quality action flick. The story might be slow at some points, but the plot is original enough to keep the audience's interest in the characters and the action. As well, with such an intense premise, writers are able to poke fun at the profession of repossessing organs without it being in bad taste. This gives the film a few light moments in what seems like a depressing situation for Remy. In his first film in 10 years, Sapochnik scores on ""Repo Men.""
