The Denzel Washington Insane Thriller That Needs A Second Chance
Ten years before the release of Training Day, Denzel Washington starred in a 1991 movie called Ricochet that deserves some attention if you’ve overlooked it. Though this movie was in many ways overshadowed by the theatrical release of Robert De Niro’s Cape Fear, it’s worth noting that this disturbing and suspenseful Denzel Washington and John Lithgow starring thriller is well executed, and quite relentless in its delivery.
One of the unfortunate realities about Ricochet is that although the current HD version can currently be found steaming on Max, there is no way to watch the Denzel Washington movie with the correct aspect ratio at the time of this writing.
In fact, the movie was so violent that many scenes found their way to the cutting-room floor, and the uncut version of the film never surfaced.
One of the unfortunate realities about Ricochet is that although the current HD version can currently be found steaming on Max, there is no way to watch the Denzel Washington movie with the correct aspect ratio at the time of this writing. But the film is so engaging that you probably won’t mind anyway, as the storytelling will draw you in while simultaneously dropping your jaw to the floor.
This is just one of the many action scenes in Ricochet that is heightened to ridiculous proportions, but for some reason, Lithgow’s portrayal of a sociopath hitman makes the entire exchange somewhat believable.
You’ll certainly have to suspend a healthy amount of belief with some of the more bizarre sequences involving John Lithgow’s Earl Talbot Blake character, but the action is so impressive that you can’t help but keep your eyes glued to the screen.
Ricochet centers on an adversarial relationship between Denzel Washington’s Assistant District Attorney Nick Styles and John Lithgow’s Earl Talbot Blake. Primarily set in 1991, the story line begins eight years prior in 1983 when Styles gets in a shootout with Blake after stripping down to his underwear, pulling a concealed weapon from his athletic supporter, and subduing Blake by shooting him in the knee, leading to his incarceration.
Flash forward to 1991, and Blake, who is hellbent on ruining Styles’ life, makes a daring escape from prison that’s highly entertaining if you’re able to suspend a healthy amount of disbelief in this Denzel Washington film. After suggesting to the parole officer that he’s going to have sex with his wife, daughter, and dog, he open fires on the parole board, and makes a run for it with the assistance of his allies from the Aryan Brotherhood.
At many times, Ricochet is difficult to watch because of its ruthless depictions of violence, drug use, and sexual assault.
This is just one of the many action scenes in Ricochet that is heightened to ridiculous proportions, but for some reason, Lithgow’s portrayal of a sociopath hitman makes the entire exchange somewhat believable.
From this point on, Ricochet thrusts the viewer into a sadistic revenge plot orchestrated by Blake, who will stop at nothing to drag Denzel Washington’s Styles through the mud by framing him for crimes he didn’t commit, threatening his family, and turning both his private and professional life into a media circus.
One such attempt to sully Styles’ name involves an elaborate plot on Blake’s part to have Styles drugged and sexually assaulted so Blake can videotape the incident, causing the public to think Styles is soliciting prostitutes.
At many times, Ricochet is difficult to watch because of its ruthless depictions of violence, drug use, and sexual assault. We can only imagine what the uncut version of this film looked like, and we can reasonably assume that a number of cuts had to be made for this Denzel Washington film so it could stay in R-rated territory.
But still, despite its jarring nature, and modest box office numbers, John Lithgow is the perfect antagonist to Denzel Washington, and their performances shouldn’t be overlooked in Ricochet.
