Entry #10: The Equalizer 2014 Film.

Imagine you’ve had a hard, highly decorated, marine lifestyle. You have skills born out of blood, you have seen things most people could not ever imagine, and you have also done things that have given you insomnia until the early mornings. That was your job and your life, until you met a woman. A kind, loving, and bakery-owning woman who was like nothing you’ve never known. Vivienne entered your life like all miracles do, without any warning and without barriers of love, you loved her. So much so that you faked your own death in a car bombing so you two could be together. To finally put what you had done before in the past and live your quiet future together. Until the unthinkable happens and she passes away.

You are now alone; years pass without the lessening of the pain. Though now, you live in a routine, getting up early, setting up your bed perfectly, and going to work at Home Mart. You’ve made some friends at Home Mart and in a diner that you frequent. Until a young girl shows up, Alina, in need of your help. She is a night worker that part of the Russian mafia owns. You are determined to bring her to safety and find that part of your life is coming back for you.

Photo by Burst: Tomas Hustoles

This is the Equalizer 2014 action and thriller film. Written by Richard Wenk and directed by Antoine Fuqua, it is part of a trilogy that follows Robert McCall and his need for justice as he goes up the chain to put away the most evil and powerful men. I love Denzel Washington and he literally brought Robert McCall, a script and a character, to life. Now, there are many reasons why I love this film. The reality is, evil happens every day without justice or superheroes, yet you just wish it did. This film shows evil men being brought down by a man who you just have to love and respect, our own superhero you might say.

It shows complexity of right and wrong and has some amazing dialogue, speeches, and quotes. The movie’s most famous one is from Mark Twain, “the two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Which then brings the audience straight into Robert McCall’s life, almost like the quote was there just for him. Though one of Robert McCall’s own famous speeches was when he was talking to Nicolai Itchenko, part of the Russian mafia that wants to kill Robert.

“The men I killed, your men, I gave them a chance, they made their decision. I’m giving you the opportunity to make yours.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, you let me know when you decide. I’ve done some bad things in my life Nikolai, things I’m not proud of. I promised someone that I love very much that I would never go back to being that person…but for you, I’m going to make an exception.” (The Equalizer, 2014).

Another reason why I like this movie so much is because of how much Robert McCall appreciated the little things. He didn’t take his friends for granted, he looked out for them and had a routine in which he did things. He saw the worst in humanity in his line of work and did some bad things, but he never let himself forget it. Throughout the film, he was always ready to help out his friends and people he barely knew. He had wisdom, respect, and lived life by leaving things better than it was.

Photo by Burst: Matthew Henry

He never had the Bystander effect; he was ready to do the right thing by the people he loved. He embodied the character of a friend that you always knew would have your back, which is what makes this film so good because we can see what he did to get here. We see this when he is talking to his friend, Susan Plummer, who he met when he was in the Marines. And, no, Susan was not surprised that Robert was still alive. She knew he wouldn't ever die by something so 'trivial' as a car bombing, as her husband said to Robert.   

“Robert, that girl, Alina…why?”

“I couldn’t tell you why it mattered. Why, what they did to her, that mattered to me so much. One day, somebody does something unspeakable to someone else, to someone you hardly knew, and you…do something about it because you can.”

“Because it’s who you are? Who you always been? Sometimes we make the wrong choices to get to the right place. I know a part of you died when Vivienne did…but not the part she loved the most. Go be him. Don’t forget to say goodbye.”

“Goodbye.” (The Equalizer, 2014).

Photo by Burst: Tomas Hustoles

It is a film that makes the bad guys lose and the good guys win. While there are some deaths, especially within the whole trilogy that are tragic, it is one of the best films that depict what it is like to be a human. A human that does something for someone without any gain, just because they can. The film shows the best and worst in humanity and what it is like to live in between, not knowing how it is going to affect you. I hope just about everyone has heard of this film, much more seen it. And if you didn’t then I hope I have convinced you! Even if you do not like it, I would like to hear the reasonings and opinions.

Bye!

-Mia R.