Law Abiding Citizen is a dark and intense psychological thriller with the theme of justice, revenge and system failure. The novel centers on the life of Clyde Shelton who is shattered by the gruesome murder of his daughter and his wife. Once the murderers are apprehended, a plea bargain enables one to give testimony on the other culprit and this results in a defective justice system which eventually acquits the offenders. This is such a perversion of justice, and it drives Clyde to his metamorphosis as a sorrowful father, but a plodding vigilante bent upon bringing the legal system and its corruptness into the open light. The tone of the film is inexorable, and there are tense shots and realistic images, which contribute to the feeling of moral uncertainty and tension.
Gerard Butler portrays a very strong character of Clyde, a man overcome by grief but slowly unfolding a multi-layered, it would almost be philosophical, side of vengeance. The cold but pragmatic nature of the system is depicted in the character of Nick Rice, the ambitious prosecutor. The movie is able to contrast the careful planning that Clyde does with the red tape that attempts to put a halt to his plan, making it a very interesting game of cat and mouse. Technology and smart plotting in the schemes of Clyde presents a villain that is both terrifying and captivating that makes the viewers wonder what is really meant by being just and whether there is never a moment when revenge is justified.
The most striking thing was the fact that the film addresses the controversial issue of morality and the repercussions of structural malpractices. The conclusion is a moral issue, life or death confrontation that leaves the audience ponder what extent one must go to pursue justice. Law Abiding Citizen provokes the viewers into thinking about the boundaries of the law and the human price of failing to be a real citizen. It is a fascinating, mind splicing thriller that sticks with long after, leaving the audience to question the thin line between the law and anarchy and the cost of justice in a broken society.
