Movie Title: Run All Night
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Starring: Liam Neeson, Ed Harris, Joel Kinnaman, Boyd Holbrook, Bruce McGill, Genesis Rodriguez, Vincent D'Onofrio, Lois Smith, Common, Beau Knapp
Review: After killing the son of his friend and chief mobster (Ed Harris) hit man Jimmy Conlon (Liam Neeson) must protect his estranged son as they go on the run from the onslaught of mob enforcers with nothing but murder on their minds.
Liam Neeson is back, still riding the wave of good will from the success of Taken. Here, he protects his grown son, not his daughter, in this gritty drama that has plenty of thrills to keep fans of Neeson's middle-aged action man happy. Not only do you get the goods from Neeson, but you have him in good company with co-stars Ed Harris, Joel Kinnaman, Boyd Holbrook, Bruce McGill, Genesis Rodriguez, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Common. Ed Harris and Common are especially good here, although Common's character doesn't quite seem to mesh with the movie, but he's great to watch and grabs your attention every second he's on screen.
If the premise of Run All Night seems familiar that's because it's essentially Road to Perdition set in the modern day, with an adult son rather than a young child in tow. Quite a few similarities and coincidences, but none that will distract too much.
I enjoyed Run All Night for the performances, the gritty drama, and for the father-son relationship. It does go on a bit too long and there are definitely some detours from the plot that are unnecessary, but if you like tough-as-nails Neeson, father and sons on the run, and mob loyalties called into question, then Run All Night is worth a look. There's no need to run to it, maybe a like jog or trot will do.
Fun Fact: During the bar scene, Liam Neeson mentions having a drink with Mickey Featherstone. In real life, Mickey Featherstone was a member of the New York City Irish-American gang called The Westies, based out of Hell's Kitchen.