Journey to the End of Night DVD Review

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Scott Glenn, Mos Def, and Catalina Sandino Moreno

Produced by: Richard N. Gladsten, Frank De Martini, and James Acheson

Directed by: Eric Eason

First Look Home Entertainment Inc.

Rated R

Billed as a "gritty crime thriller", Journey to the End of the Night starring Brendan Fraser attempts to take a close look at the underbelly of San Paulo, Brazil. Trying to use a Quentin Tarentino style of story telling, director Eric Eason desperately tries to weave an intriguing and compelling story of a father and son looking to escape their wretched lives. Unfortunately, it feels as if Eason created a project way over his head, and instead of delivering on its billing, this film quickly descends into a confusing mosh pit of stories.

Brendan Fraser and Scott Glenn star as a father and son who run a nightclub slash brothel in what is reputedly the most dangerous city in the world, San Paulo. Both men desperately want out of the business, the city, and their own corrupt lives. When a customer leaves behind a suitcase, they both believe they finally have their means of escape. The story takes off from there with ridiculous twists and turns which are meant to be compelling but end up being completely absurd.

Eason, who also wrote the script, tries to use the city of San Paulo to emphasize the desperation of the characters, but fails miserably. Instead of investing more time developing the characters and actually explaining the plot he turns to sex and gore to tell the story. The bloody and brutal shoot outs and some graphic sex can not hide the plot holes which are so big you could drive a SUV through them.

With some star power behind this film, you would at least think the acting might be able to hide some of the film's shortcomings, but this is simply not the case. Brendan Fraser, who is a bit overrated as an actor anyway, is absolutely awful. This is probably the worst performance of his otherwise lackluster career. Scott Glenn, who normally turns in a decent performance pretty much does a phone in job with his role. It's so unforgettable you more than likely will forget he is even in the film.

The one actor who does turn in a good job is Mos Def as the Nigerian immigrant Wamba. The story kind of indirectly revolves around this character. Def does a remarkable job with such a poorly written role and in a movie with such a convoluted plot. His talent is definitely wasted and it is almost a shame to see that his talent is even apart of this film debacle.

The DVD does offer a few bonuses, but nothing to get excited about. There is a Featurette showing the making of the movie, but with a movie this bad I do not know why you would possibly be interested in seeing how it was made. The only thing it would be akin to is a car accident that you know you should not look at but you cannot help yourself.

Journey to the End of Night is a confusing film with too many plot holes to count. Director Eric Eason thinks his film is a clever thriller with a trick ending, but in reality is not much more than a low budget student film. The acting is bad, the story is ridiculous, and even the city of San Paulo which is supposed to play such a prominent back drop to the story is under utilized. My advice is to stay away, far away from this movie.