I'm not sure what to think about this film. I have no way of verifying at this time, but it feels like this is based on something, perhaps a graphic novel or comic book. It just has that feel to it. Part of this je ne sais quoi is the aesthetic of the movie - very solid color kind of stuff, both in the look of the film and in the thinking of the main characters. The other thing that makes me think there is a richer base for the film is that it is sparse on explanation. Why do the two brothers speak at least seven languages? Because their mother thought it was a good idea. Why do they recite a prayer after each kill that has been passed down for generations and to what end? What's with the coins on the eyes of the victims? Why does one brother have 'veritas' tattooed on his gun hand while the other brother has 'aequitus' tattooed on his?
Willem Dafoe really is the driving force behind this movie. A lesser actor wouldn't have been able to pull it off without going overboard. Dafoe's role, while that of an FBI agent, is very reminiscent of the character Norman Osborn from the first Spiderman movie. Towards the end when his character goes too far, Dafoe goes part of the way their with him, but holds back just enough so that we can see the character's mental struggle without being distracted by the actor.
This movie reminds me of the Blade and Punisher movie franchises, both of which are based on Marvel comic characters, which I guess would be another reason to suspect this might be based on a comic. Boondock Saints came out a lot grittier and less sucky than Blade., pun fully intended. The morals and reasoning is pretty darn similar to the Punisher, but the reason for starting is a lot less clear. Actually the reason the brothers start their killing spree or vigilanteism as some call it, is because of their family's particular take on Catholicism, but we don't know at all how it is that they are in such great shape - both physically fit and well-trained using guns with silencers.
I wouldn't be surprised to find out that there are a lot more than two of these movies, as it's the kind of story that can unroll over many films, doling out bits and pieces of why these men do what they do. I will certainly see if I can track down the sequel. It certainly beats looking for the pilot of the Blade television series, which in it's defense I hear is a lot better than the movies. I guess any time you have to place a condition on your approval it means there is something wrong with the film, but I've said enough that you have some idea what those drawbacks are.
Having gotten a chance to look around the net since writing the above, I see that this film and its sequel are not based on a comic or graphic novel. The writer/director said taht he based the film on incidents from his own life. Crazy life.
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