Road House

Patrick Swayze’s 1989 cult action flick gets the remake treatment from director Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow, American Made), featuring Jake Gyllenhaal in the starring role.

Former UFC middleweight fighter Elwood Dalton (Jake Gyllenhaal ) is a man haunted by the past. One of his matches resulted in the death of his opponent. He reluctantly takes a job as the head bouncer at “The Road House,” a raucous establishment in the Florida Keys owned by Frankie (Jessica Williams). The community is apparently an area rife with criminal activity and underworld connections. Dalton’s arrival sparks conflict with a motorcycle gang led by Dell (JD Pardo) acting under the orders of crime lord Ben Brandt (Billy Magnussen).

Dalton’s refusal to bow down to intimidation and his determination to uphold order within the bar leads to escalating tensions and savage confrontations. Dalton bonds with a local teenager named Charlie (Hannah Lanier), who runs a bookstore with her father, Stephen (Kevin Carroll). Ellie (Daniela Melchior) is the doctor who predictably becomes romantically involved with Dalton after she tends to his injuries. He soon finds himself embroiled in a battle for survival. This includes a corrupt sheriff (Joaquim de Almeida) and a mafia enforcer named Knox (Conor McGregor ). The latter is hired by Brandt’s incarcerated father to hunt down and kill his enemies. Why this modest bar becomes the center of such violent activity remains a confusing mystery for at least half of the narrative.

Road House is a simplistic offering that entertains through intense fight sequences. There is admittedly a certain exhilaration to be derived from the adrenaline-pumping thrill of choreographed stunts and impressive feats of strength. Former UFC fighter Conor McGregor is making his film debut here. The production definitely delivers if you came to see two sweaty, muscular men in a knock-down drag-out brawl. Jake Gyllenhaal’s decision to affect a Chesire Cat grin throughout, even in the midst of imminent danger, is a bold but amusing choice. I found him charming in the part and his pugilistic skills believable.

The best action flicks feature rousing exploits coupled with a cleverly crafted plot that keeps audiences engaged. This picture only fulfills the first half of that statement. The screenplay by Anthony Bagarozzi and Chuck Mondry tells the tale of a loner in a troubled town who faces off against local villains and ultimately triumphs. Gyllenhaal’s recent preference for doing action movies (The Guilty, Ambulance, The Covenant) would suggest this is the current direction of his career. Still, the plot is about as innovative as reheated leftovers. It’s hard to imagine what lured Jake Gyllenhaal into this cinematic back alley. But hey, in Hollywood, I suppose even the brightest stars have to pay their dues – or in this case, their bills.

03-24-24