For a while there Liam Neeson seemed like the hardest working man in the movies, with dramas and action films all over the place. The pandemic has slowed everything down a bit, but here he is again, this time in a solid action drama that will let us all put last year’s Cold Pursuit in the back mirror.

Mark Williams’ film certainly has a familiar feel to it; a man is framed for something he didn’t do and has to take drastic action, utilizing a specific set of skills, to clear his name and attain justice. But in this case that man is Tom Dolan (Liam Neeson), a very successful bank robber who wants to turn himself and his stolen loot in to the FBI, and it is that agency which betrays him. So we have a familiar “innocent man clears his name” plot mixed into a narrative where the highest level organization for justice is corrupt, which is a very valid theme these days (and has been since the 1960s).

What sets this drama apart from others is the detail of moral complexity, or lack of same, exhibited by the very believable characters. They actually talk about the moral ramifications of what they are doing, weighing whether the monetary gain justifies the deceit and violence to come — and these matters are discussed on both sides of the badge. I appreciate the depth that is being striven for, even if things are not always presented in their best lights. That being said, one’s appreciation for this plot may be determined early, when Tom decides to turn himself in for the sake of love. I have a feeling that some viewers will consider this pure folly and be done with it right then and there.

It should also be noted that this is not a one-person show. Good work is contributed by Tom’s girl Annie (Kate Walsh), and the FBI guys (Jeffrey Donovan, Robert Patrick, Jai Courtney and Anthony Ramos). Altogether they have fashioned a believable drama, with some well-staged action scenes, on the streets of Worchester, Massachusetts. The title is an oxymoron, and the film itself attempts, fairly successfully, to replicate that paradox. I quite enjoyed it. ☆ ☆ ☆. 17 November 2020.