By Any Means Review
· fitness
The Dark Allure of “By Any Means”
The new film by Elegance Bratton, “By Any Means,” has sparked a necessary conversation about the morally complex choices we make in pursuit of justice. At its core, this movie is about two men from different worlds: Gregory Scarpa, a Brooklyn hitman with a penchant for violence, and Wayne Strider, a Black FBI agent tasked with investigating the disappearance of three civil rights activists.
The film’s marketing campaign has been heavy-handed, emphasizing the “shocking” and “gripping” nature of the story. But what it fails to convey is the nuance that makes this movie more than just a historical crime thriller. By Any Means explores the difficult choices we face when the system fails us, raising questions about the nature of justice and the means we use to achieve it.
Mark Wahlberg brings depth to Scarpa’s character, making him more than just a one-dimensional villain. Wahlberg’s performance is both captivating and unsettling, conveying the desperation that drives Scarpa to extreme measures in a system that has failed him at every turn.
The relationship between Scarpa and Strider, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, is complex and multifaceted. On the surface, it appears to be an unlikely partnership: a white hitman and a Black FBI agent working together to solve a crime that has gone cold. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that their bond is rooted in more than just convenience.
Strider’s idealism is drawn to Scarpa’s brutal efficiency, while Scarpa is attracted to Strider’s sense of purpose and conviction. Together, they form an uneasy alliance that challenges the status quo and pushes the boundaries of what we consider acceptable.
The film suggests that violence can be a necessary evil in pursuit of justice, but this narrative thread raises more questions than it answers. Is violence ever truly justifiable? Or are we simply rationalizing our own complicity in systems that perpetuate harm?
Abdul-Mateen II brings nuance to Strider’s character, making his transformation believable and complex. He is a multidimensional character who is both relatable and frustrating.
The film’s portrayal of racial tension and systemic racism is timely and thought-provoking. By Any Means highlights the ways in which institutions can fail us, leaving individuals to fend for themselves in a world that seems stacked against them.
Terence Blanchard’s jazz score perfectly captures the mood of the story, evoking unease and tension that propels the narrative forward. The film’s use of music is striking, adding depth to the already complex themes.
In the end, By Any Means leaves viewers with more questions than answers. It challenges us to confront the difficult choices we face in pursuit of justice, and the moral compromises we make along the way. This movie will linger long after the credits roll, leaving audiences to grapple with its complex themes and moral ambiguity.
As we watch Scarpa’s brutal methods pay off, even as Strider struggles with his own complicity, it’s hard not to feel a sense of unease. We’re drawn into a world where violence is normalized, where the lines between good and evil are blurred. By Any Means is a movie that will leave you feeling unsettled, but also thinking deeply about the nature of justice and the means we use to achieve it.
Reader Views
- DRDevon R. · former athlete
While I appreciate the nuanced portrayal of Gregory Scarpa's character in "By Any Means," I'm concerned that Mark Wahlberg's performance may be overshadowing the more significant theme of systemic failure. The film rightly questions whether violence can ever truly serve justice, but what's striking is how little attention it pays to the historical context of the civil rights movement itself. By reducing the narrative to a cat-and-mouse game between Scarpa and Strider, the movie risks erasing the complex web of social and economic factors that gave rise to such extreme measures in the first place.
- TGThe Gym Desk · editorial
The film's portrayal of Scarpa's relationship with Strider raises intriguing questions about the power dynamics at play in their unlikely partnership. While it's refreshing to see an exploration of morally complex choices, the movie glosses over the very real consequences of using violence as a means to an end. In reality, law enforcement agencies often struggle to balance idealism with practicality, and the moral ambiguity presented on screen can be misleading. A more nuanced approach would delve into the long-term effects of Scarpa's actions and how they shape Strider's own understanding of justice.
- CTCoach Tara M. · strength coach
While I applaud the film's ambition in tackling the gray areas between justice and violence, I'm concerned that its nuanced exploration of morally complex choices comes at the cost of oversimplifying the systems that perpetuate harm. The article highlights Mark Wahlberg's captivating performance as a white hitman with a penchant for violence, but it glosses over the ways in which the film reinforces racial stereotypes. Can we have a conversation about how the film portrays systemic racism and its effects on communities of color?