Crawford, Artie Crawford — THE LAST RIFLEMAN
By Danny Mendes, TheCineBuff.com
Pierce Brosnan takes a journey to the past and his own mortality in Kevin Fitzpatrick’s The Last Rifleman. Pierce Brosnan plays Artie Crawford, a World War II veteran living his twilight years in a care home. Following the recent passing of his wife as well as the upcoming 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, Artie decides to make the trek to Normandy, to pay his final respects to his friend who was killed in the line of duty. An old man reckoning with the past is not new, but The Last Rifleman manages to subvert the tropes through the pure charisma of Pierce Brosnan.
The age makeup used on Bronsan is very effective. At 71, the actor passes for much younger. The debonair Irishman trades in his effortless charm for a performance that is much more subdued and vulnerable than what he normally plays. The tragedy and weariness of the character come through the makeup, and the emotion on Brosnan’s face manage to say a lot more than words.
Juxtaposed with the present day, we see flashbacks of young Artie’s life. The intention of these scenes is plain to see, and James Keating, the actor playing young Artie does a fine job. Unfortunately, the casting feels like a mismatch when compared to Brosnan. The flashbacks also come few and far between, which makes the climactic moment not land the way it’s supposed to.
On Artie’s odyssey to France, he comes across a variety of characters played by solid character actors including Clemence Poesy and John Amos. None of the characters overstay their welcome, but their impact on Artie is crucial in helping him to reconcile with his past. While the dialogue between these characters often comes down to the generic “war is bad” trope, it’s fun to see Brosnan interact with these charismatic performers.
The Last Rifleman is a light and airy affair that’s a joy to watch.The film is anchored by Brosnan’s performance which keeps it from becoming just another throwaway drama. The narrative is simple but engaging, and what it lacks in originality, it makes up for with genuine heart and sincerity.
Originally published at http://behindtherabbitproductions.wordpress.com on November 8, 2024.
