 Abandon (2002) Benjamin Bratt plays a detective and recovering substance abuser. His desperation to not re-play his "Law & Order" character is almost palpable. There's a "funny, slutty roommate" character, a "smart black girl" character (Gabrielle Union – speaking of that, remind me to form a fan club called The Gabrielle Union Union, which will hold annual conventions called The Gabrielle Union Union Reunion), and Fred Ward appears as a grizzled elder detective and/or AA sponsor. No offense to Fred Ward, but Fred Ward should not be your "star cameo" when you're making a movie. The maybe-dead boyfriend is the typical "dead sexy eccentric genius and fiercely independent spirit" that only exists in Hollywood, created to cater to some perceived sexual ideal. Yeah, yeah, everyone wants to have wild sex with the indefatigably self-possessed guy who isn't afraid to critically expose their deepest insecurities and desires. But back in the real world, every time I act like this guy does, people just roll their eyes and/or ask me to get away from them. Which is really more my problem than the film's. For what it is, enjoyable enough. Tight little popcorn movie for when you have the flu or otherwise just want to stay home from work and watch a l'il thriller. Speaking of that, remind me to hold auditions for a L'il Bow Wow-style Michael Jackson protegée called "L'il Thriller." The world needs a new Young Alfonso Ribiero, in my opinion.
Review by Walking Disaster |