Director Richard Shepard has turned in some modern masterworks of American cinema, including THE MATADOR and THE HUNTING PARTY, both excellent character studies featuring established actors in showcase performances. THE MATADOR showed just how great Pierce Brosnan can be, given the right material, and remains one of my favorite characters for the seasoned thespian. THE HUNTING PARTY explored the press and modern day warfare with Richard Gere giving a standout reading in the lead role. Shepard’s newest big screen effort is DOM HEMINGWAY, in which Jude Law plays an ex-con trying to re-acclimate to present day life.
The film opens with Dom, in prison, verbally celebrating his manhood whilst pleasured by an inmate. It’s the kind of scene that lets the audience know this is not a family-friendly affair, but sets the tone for the first half of the story. Hemingway is released after serving a 12-year sentence, and seemingly within minutes he finds someone who pissed him off and beats the guy half to death. Dom re-teams with Dickie Black (Richard E. Grant), his old friend, and the duo soon find themselves visiting crime boss Ivan Fontaine (Demian Bichir). The reason Dom spent all that time in jail is because he wouldn’t give up Ivan, and now he feels he’s owed a little payback for his silence. Fontaine agrees to pay Hemingway off, and it looks like it’s all smiles and party time for the trio, until a drunken and drugged up car crash screws up the night. Dom discovers his payoff money has been stolen, and with no place else to turn, he reconnects with his daughter Evelyn (Emilia Clarke) who he left behind all those years ago.
The first half of DOM HEMINGWAY feels like watching Guy Ritchie and Edgar Wright on a drunken bender, zipping around London showing partying and living life to excess. It’s intense and funny, and crass to boot. The character of Dom is not a hero by any means, and it may be hard to relate to or even root for him in any way, other than just as a guy to laugh at when he does something nuts. Then he goes back to his daughter, and the film switches gears in a big way. It’s interesting watching the man of low morals trying to sober up physically and mentally to fit back into the life of a loved one. This is also where many may lose focus on the narrative, as in some ways it feels like two very different movies stitched together. Richard Shepard excels at taking actors you know well, and finding ways to really show what they can do. The role of Dom Hemingway is about as un-glamorous and unflattering as you can get, but Jude Law breathes a life into it that’s something to behold. You never really quite “like” Dom, but you can’t take your eyes off of him. I also couldn’t help but feel a little bad for the guy, as he only knows a life of crime, and has spent over a decade behind bars simply for keeping his mouth shut. Jude Law finds a way to make this work, and the character (while crude and at times rather annoying) is pretty engaging.
Richard E. Grant, who is pretty much always great, is terrific as Dom’s pal Dickie, a man who has obviously tried to straighten up a bit since the duo were last together. Grant in some ways could be looked upon as the man Dom might have become (for better or worse), had he not gone to prison. Demian Bichir has a lot of fun as Fontaine, a short but effective role that feels like rather inspired casting. And GAME OF THRONES actress Emilia Clarke shows off her singing talent and softer side as Dom’s estranged daughter. Jumayn Hunter is also terrific as Lestor, a possible way back into the life of crime for Dom when he becomes desperate. Everyone in the cast looks like they’re having fun with the material.
This may be one of Richard Shepard’s least accessible films for many audiences, and to some might not be his best work, but it’s still a strong effort in many ways and worth a look, particularly if you like British crime films. Shepard has stated he wanted to make a “crime” movie with no crime in it, and the end result is an interesting experiment. I wasn’t sure how to feel about this one for a few days after I saw it, but I kept thinking about it, and about the meaning behind certain moments. Sometimes films with a lasting impression like that can transcend the labels of “good” or “bad” and just be fascinating to watch. DOM HEMINGWAY definitely isn’t for everyone, but those in the right mood might find it to be pretty cool.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
