Watch A Common Man

A Common Man, released in 2013, is a thriller set in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The movie stars Oscar winner Ben Kingsley as a police officer tasked with stopping a volatile man who has planted five bombs around the city. The film is the directorial debut of Chandran Rutnam, a Sri Lankan filmmaker born in 1942. The opening shot of A Common Man sets the tone for the entire film, with a close up of the protagonist's (Kingsley) weathered face. The camera lingers on his eyes, and in them we see a history of tragedy and loss. We immediately learn that Kingsley's character is a hot-headed cop who has been demoted to traffic duty, and he resents this fact. But he is suddenly thrust back into the fray when a man calls him and reveals that he has planted five bombs in crowded locations around Colombo. The caller demands the release of four terrorists who have been imprisoned for years by the government.

The audience is then introduced to the "common man" of the title, played by Ben Cross. He is an anonymous figure who emerges from the crowd to claim responsibility for the bombings. But as the story unfolds, we learn that his motivations are more complex than simply wanting to see the release of the imprisoned terrorists. The man believes that his actions will expose the corruption and incompetence of the government.

The story of A Common Man is a cat-and-mouse game between Kingsley's character and the "common man." The police officer must try to track him down before the next bomb is detonated, while the man himself taunts Kingsley with cryptic messages over the phone. The film builds considerable tension as time runs out and the body count rises.

The cinematography of A Common Man is noteworthy, as the film is set entirely in the crowded streets of Colombo. The camera often lingers on the faces of passersby, conveying a sense of unease and tension. There are also many overhead shots of the city, showing the sprawling urban landscape that is the site of the bombings. The use of sound is also effective, with the ominous hum of drone strikes providing a constant backdrop to the action.

The performances in A Common Man are strong, particularly that of Kingsley. He imbues his character with a simmering rage that threatens to boil over at any moment. Cross is equally effective as the "common man," presenting a character who is both sympathetic and terrifying. The supporting cast is also solid, with Patrick Rutnam turning in a memorable performance as a police chief who clashes with Kingsley's character.

One of the most interesting aspects of A Common Man is the way it explores the theme of vigilante justice. The man behind the bombings sees himself as a hero, taking action against a corrupt government that he believes has failed its citizens. But as the tension builds and the body count rises, it becomes clear that his actions are only making things worse. The film poses the question: is it ever justified to take the law into your own hands?

Overall, A Common Man is a tense, well-crafted thriller that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. It is a rare example of a Sri Lankan film that has gained international recognition, and it showcases the talents of both its director and the two Bens who headline the cast. If you're in the mood for a gripping thriller that explores weighty themes, A Common Man is well worth checking out.

A Common Man is a 2013 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.5.