‘Some secrets are deadly’
The Bricklayer is a 2023 American action thriller film about an ex-CIA agent who is reactivated to defeat an extortionist.
Directed by Renny Harlin (The Strangers: Chapter 1; Cliffhanger, Deep Blue Sea, Die Hard 2; Prison) from the script by Hanna Weg and Matt Johnson, based on the 2010 novel of the same name by Paul Lindsay under his pen name Noah Boyd,
The movie stars Aaron Eckhart, Nina Dobrev, Tim Blake Nelson, Ilfenesh Hadera and Clifton Collins Jr.
Reviews:
“Harlin isn’t the same action authority he once was, and The Bricklayer doesn’t supply much of a jolt for viewers. It’s fairly generic, with star Aaron Eckhart tasked with creating a growly one-man-army figure for the helmer to bash around, but if you’ve seen one deadly encounter, you’ve seen them all here, finding the picture repetitive and surprisingly flat when it comes to matters of growing threats and past relationships.” ★★ Blu-ray.com
“The Bricklayer had the ingredients for a compelling action thriller: a talented cast, an intriguing premise, and a seasoned director. Sadly, the film fails to capitalize on these elements, delivering a lackluster and forgettable experience. Its inability to transcend the clichés of the genre, coupled with shallow characterizations and an uneven narrative, left much to be desired.” C- Caillou Pettis Movie Reviews
” …it’s odd to see Renny Harlin operate in this low-budget arena. He still has a penchant for making memorable, blowout action scenes, but then we transition to sequences where the money didn’t go, i.e., character development. While Eckhart, Dobrev, and Clifton Collins Jr. deliver physical mastery, their quieter scenes are given the short shrift, dumping exposition between gunshots, hand-to-hand combat, and honest-to-gosh thrilling car chases.” ★★½ DC Filmdom
“What gives it a leg up is due in part to Harlin’s direction and due in part to Eckhart’s acting. It is also worthy to note that the moments Vail spends in solitude, listening to his Jazz music and precisely removing and replacing a damaged brick, are excellent respites between the action sequences.” ★★★ Flick Direct
“The Bricklayer won’t go down as an action classic, but it builds enough solid thrills and retro appeal to satisfy genre fans, even if the plot gets muddled. Thanks to director Renny Harlin’s flair for showmanship and a committed Aaron Eckhart performance, this spy escapade stacks up reasonably well for popcorn entertainment. Just don’t expect the sturdiest foundation beneath all the explosive fun.” Grade: 6, Gazettely
“Hanna Weg and Matt Johnson’s adaptation of Paul Lindsay’s novel (written under the name Noah Boyd) has a sophisticated premise that is shrewdly realistic and incredibly timely. Unfortunately, their screenplay emphasizes routine action over international intrigue. Harlin was always an action-oriented filmmaker, so this plays to his strengths, but it is a missed opportunity for something smarter.” J.B. Spins
” …despite its flaws, The Bricklayer remains a moderately fun spy film in large part due to Harlin’s propulsive direction and Eckhart’s vigorous lead performance. The action is exciting, highlighted by some well-choreographed and intensely brutal fight sequences. And even though the script stumbles in spots, it’s entertaining enough and holds your attention. That may not sound like a ringing endorsement, but it’s more than I can say for some of the more heralded films from the last year.” ★★★ Keith and the Movies
“The Bricklayer is pure cinematic junk food. While it’s empty and a movie you’ll never think about again, it’s also satisfying, enjoyable, and hits the spot […] it also knows exactly what movie it is and what it wants to accomplish, and in Harlin’s hands, with a charismatic-enough lead, and strong, and plentiful, action scenes, the result is a fun, quick, entertaining movie…” Grade: B, The Last Thing I See
“The only scene that stands out in The Bricklayer is a brief, well-choreographed car chase during the third act, but, by then, it’s too little, too late Moreover, the third act suffers from a few false endings, so it could’ve used tighter editing. At a running time of 1 hour and 50 minutes, The Bricklayer is dull, overlong and exhausting while low on suspense and thrills.” The NYC Movie Guru
“While the performances all around are solid, the plot is still something of a mess. Double-crosses and convoluted backstories abound, but little of it means anything because the characters lack introspection. At least the production values are surprisingly robust, with Harlin getting more to play around with than he’s had in ages. The Greek locale offers some lush views and an exotic atmosphere…” ★★★ Punch Drunk Critics
“Harlin may be years past his best work and the budget well short of what he had to for Driven and Die Hard 2, but he can still channel his early films like Born American and Prison to deliver effective cinematic violence on limited funds […] Highlights include an assassination in a crowded square, a shootout against a small army in a warehouse, and a high-speed chase…” Voices from the Balcony
For YouTube reviews, the trailer, full plot synopsis and technical info please visit page 2
