Felony

Felony is a riveting Australian crime drama released in 2013. The film is written by Joel Edgerton who is also the leading act, demonstrating his talents both behind the keyboard and in front of the camera. He effortlessly divulges into the world of challenging morality, and guilt-laden situations that amplify the intensity of the narrative. It is a movie with a powerful story that tests the boundaries of loyalty and puts a unique spin on the theme of crime and punishment. Directed by acclaimed Australian filmmaker Matthew Saville, Felony explores the dark corners of the human conscience and unravels the varying shades of guilt and innocence.

Joel Edgerton plays Detective Malcolm Toohey, a respected cop and man of action in his community, a hero indeed after leading a successful drug bust, protecting the neighborhood against dangerous criminals. However, the moral standings of his character face a stern test when he is involved in a tragic accident that puts his entire career and life at risk. Hereafter, Felony plays out like a classic crime-drama narrative, where a series of desperate decisions made bring the main character into a downward spiral.

Tom Wilkinson is the grizzled veteran detective, Carl Summer, a pragmatic realist with his ways of bending rules. He portrays the role of an old-time cop who rigidly believes that the ends justify the means. Conversely, Jai Courtney plays the character of Detective Jim Melic, a junior but zealous officer who represents the value of honesty, uprightness, and the rule of law within the force. The dynamic between these officers represents Felony's chief conflict, a cerebral tug of war between truth and loyalty.

On one hand, Malcolm’s struggle with his guilt is palpable – haunted by nightmarish guilt, every decision he makes ends up complicating his predicament. On the other hand, Carl’s perspective reflects a utilitarian approach towards the incident. He is a man worn with age and experience who sees the world in shades of grey rather than black and white. He firmly believes in protecting his own, even if that might involve shrouding the truth, up to the point of influencing the investigation to preserve Malcolm's reputation and career.

On the contrary, Jim, the ambitious young detective, driven by a determination to expose the truth, finds himself at odds with this fraternal code of loyalty. As he starts to put together pieces of the puzzle, the viewers can feel the pulse of the narrative pacing up, leaving them on edge, pitting his thirst for justice against police brotherhood. Courtney’s portrayal of Jim’s unyielding conviction, hence, creates a counterbalance to the moral ambiguity shown by the other two leads.

The cinematography deserved a particular mention in this movie. While it might come across as rather understated, it plays a crucial role in building the film's murky atmosphere. The cityscape's nighttime shots are particularly effective and create a thematic resonance with the narrative's noir-ish aspects. What appears to be simple camerawork actually plays a key role in signaling evolving character dynamics and escalating tensions.

However, Felony is more than a typical crime drama. It's a psychological study of guilt and responsibility, an exploration into the human conscience when confronted with the gravity of an unfortunate event. The screenplay is absorbing and the performances by the star cast bolster the narrative progression, leaving the viewers continually oscillating between anticipated dread and critical disclosure.

The narrative pacing in Felony is slow but deliberate, the dialogues are probing, and the performances, especially from Edgerton, are nuanced and persuasive. It's a film that doesn’t shy away from painting its characters with shades of grey, avoiding one-dimensional characterizations.

Felony, a powerful exploration of the human condition and morality, presents an engaging watch for the audience interested in crime dramas that go beyond the superficial and delve deep into the characters' psyche. With intense performances, the film provokes thought and is a must-watch for viewers seeking something more than routine crime and punishment stories.