In 2008, Reykjavík-Rotterdam became one of the biggest Icelandic films of all time. With a plentiful budget, positive reviews, five local film awards and selection as the country’s submission for best foreign language film in the 82nd Academy Awards, the smuggling drama enjoyed excessive success of the type that sets Hollywood tongues wagging. Predictably, an American iteration was proposed, with the feature’s lead actor Baltasar Kormákur (Stormy Weather) stepping in as director. The resulting effort comes in the form of Contraband, with Mark Wahlberg taking on the role originally played by his helmer.
Secreting illicit substances across international lines may be the family business, however Chris Farraday (Wahlberg, The Fighter) has spent years transferring his subterfuge skills to legitimate employment. Determined to avoid incarceration, Chris and his best buddy Sebastian (Ben Foster, The Mechanic) gave up the trafficking life for the sake of Chris’ marriage to Kate (Kate Beckinsale, Underworld Awakening). Alas, it is his young brother-in-law Andy (Caleb Landry Jones, X-Men: First Class) that sees him return to the trade. Needing quick cash to settle Andy’s debts, Chris agrees to an easy run bringing counterfeit bills back from Panama. Of course, with a ship captain (J.K. Simmons, Juno) suspicious of his actions and a thug (Giovanni Ribisi, Avatar) threatening his children, the job proves anything but straightforward.
Although transporting rather than thieving is the main objective of the characters, Contraband is a paint-by-numbers heist offering. Indeed, it uses every clichéd convention from the genre to infuse the film with tension, testing the audience’s patience and its own credibility. Just as first-time writer Aaron Guzikowski’s adaptation of Arnaldur Indriðason (Jar City) and Óskar Jónasson (Legends of Valhalla: Thor) original screenplay appears to approach the end of its labyrinthine twists and turns, it weaves its way through another set of contrivances. The majority of manoeuvrings add nothing to the story, apart from reinforcing its unnecessarily long-winded nature.
Thankfully, Kormákur’s unassuming direction fares much better, in his eighth excursion behind the lens. Despite employing a dark colour scheme to emphasise the gritty content, his handling highlights innovative camera angles and imaginative expanses of action, all unravelling at an energetic pace. His performers, too, are more than adequate, even if barely stretched. Wahlberg plays to type whilst giving a playful nod to his penchant for similar features, Beckinsale dotes as the dutiful wife, and the supporting players–a brief appearance from Rudo & Cursi’s Diego Luna included–are given meatier roles than their status suggests. However, neither the unglamorous but effective style nor acceptable acting can elevate what amounts to a B-grade action effort at best. A convoluted and convenient remake, Contraband is a formulaic thriller that relies too heavily on heist antics.
Contraband is released in Australia on February 23rd.
Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster, Giovanni Ribisi
