Watch Liberty Stands Still

Liberty Stands Still is a psychological thriller from 2002 directed by Kari Skogland. The movie stars Tanya Allen as Liberty Wallace, the daughter of a famous gun manufacturer, and Hart Bochner as Victor, a man seeking revenge for the death of his daughter. The movie opens with Liberty standing still in the middle of a freeway bridge in downtown Vancouver, holding a gun to her head. She is surrounded by a group of men led by Victor, who has a personal vendetta against Liberty's father. Victor demands that Liberty's father come to the bridge and apologize for the role his guns played in the death of Victor's daughter.

The movie takes place in real-time, over the course of the next 90 minutes, as Liberty and Victor engage in a tense and psychological game of cat and mouse. While Liberty holds Victor at bay with her gun, they engage in a long and intense conversation about their respective pasts and what led them to this moment. Through their conversation, we learn about the complicated and intersecting relationships and motivations that led these two individuals to this place.

Liberty is a complex character who is struggling to come to terms with the role her family's guns have played in the world. She wants to take responsibility for their actions and make amends, but she also feels trapped by the weight of her family's legacy. As she talks to Victor, she reveals her own traumatic experiences with guns, and how they have affected her life.

Victor is a man unhinged by grief and anger. He has lost his daughter to gun violence and is determined to hold Liberty's father accountable for his role in her death. As he talks to Liberty, he reveals his own complicated relationship with guns and how it has driven him to the brink of insanity.

The tension in this movie is palpable, as Liberty and Victor engage in a psychological battle of wills. They both hold a gun to the other's head, and the viewers are left wondering who will pull the trigger first. The movie is shot in a way that creates a sense of claustrophobia, as the action takes place on a narrow bridge with traffic rushing by on both sides.

The supporting cast is also strong, with Fulvio Cecere playing Joe, Liberty's ex-husband and business partner who is tasked with negotiating with the police and Liberty's father. Joe is a conflicted character who is torn between his loyalty to Liberty and his desire to protect his business. He serves as a kind of Greek chorus, commenting on the action and pushing the story forward.

One of the standout features of this movie is the cinematography. The use of light and shadow, coupled with the unique setting of the bridge, creates a visually stunning and powerful effect. The colors are muted and washed-out, giving the movie a noir-ish feel that complements the tense and brooding atmosphere.

Overall, Liberty Stands Still is a compelling and intense thriller that explores the complicated relationship Americans have with guns. It is a powerful meditation on grief, loss, and the search for redemption, and it is all the more impactful due to the current climate surrounding gun control in America.

Liberty Stands Still is a 2002 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.