Tomorrow's Entertainment..: Fracture Review..

When Ted Crawford discovers that his beautiful younger wife, Jennifer, is having an affair, he plans her murder; the perfect murder.. Surprisingly, Crawford readily admits to shooting his wife and is immediately arrested and arraigned after confessing - a seemingly slam - dunk case for hot - shot assistant district attorney Willy Beachum, who has one foot out the door of the District Attorney's office on his way to a lucrative job in high - stakes corporate law..

Rated: [ M ] Moderate Violence, Moderate Coarse Language

Cinema release: 2nd August 2007

Running time: 113 mins

Stars: Ryan Gosling, Anthony Hopkins, David Strathairn, Embeth Davidtz, Rosamund Pike

Ted Crawford ( Anthony Hopkins ) is an engineer who specialises in fracture mechanics.. Methodical and precise, Ted's powerful intellect takes pride in detecting the tiniest flaw in any structure, the most minute weakness in any system.. When he discovers his wife has been cheating on him, Ted weaves an intricate stratagem to extract his revenge.. A plan so meticulous, so flawless, it makes him the architect of the perfect murder; or so he believes..

Willy Beachum ( Ryan Gosling ) is a young, up - and - coming assistant district attorney who " hates to lose.." He is seduced by a prestigious corporate law firm - dressed as the slinky, doe - eyed attorney Nikki Gardner ( Rosamund Pike ).. All he has to do before starting his new job in high stakes corporate law is tie up one last open and shut case; or so it would seem..

Ted confesses to the murder of his wife and refuses council, preferring to represent himself in court.. Hence the two characters are drawn into a pivotal encounter, Ted with the quiet superiority of a master manipulator and Willy with the impatience of an arrogant hot - shot..

Can a movie where Anthony Hopkins plays a clever murderer go wrong? The answer is no, no it can’t - thank goodness! Though he trades " Clarice " for " Willy Boy," and cannibalism for a more calculated sort of murder, Hopkins evokes his Silence of the Lambs heyday in what is definitely one of the best thrillers of 2007..

The fascinating interplay of these strong characters is finely crafted in " Fracture.." The two leads are realised with subtle, assured performances.. Hopkins shuffles through his scenes with brooding, dead - pan malice, never quite achieving the seething menace of his academy award winning performance as Hannibal Lecter in " The Silence of the Lambs.." But his portrayal of Ted is somehow more human than monster, more calculating than vicious.. And Gosling is believable, if slightly underplayed as the hot - shot lawyer. He brings intensity to the moral conflict within, as Willy struggles in the intricately woven web of intrigue..

Cinematography is adequate, if unremarkable, and supporting cast performances are effective.. The script is dense and dark, with swift twists and turns.. But the structure is formulaic, adhering so close to the Hollywood three - act arrangement as to be ultimately predictable.. And somehow the pacing feels slow, the double jeopardy theme is drawn thin with its final twist artful but unimpressive..

" Fracture " is a cerebral thriller, with more puzzles than action, more introspection than impact.. It feels coldly dramatic, too calculating in its meticulous structure and like its central antagonist, almost too clever.. Even if you manage to guess its surprising ending, the movie will shock you with how well it’s put together, from the seamless acting to constricting camera angles.. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, or if you are just eager to hear Anthony Hopkins call someone " Old Sport " in his chillingly playful voice, you surely won’t be disappointed by Fracture..