Henry Johnson

Compassion breaks the backbone of the "real man". That's the theme here. Look, I love me a whole lot of David Mamet, but... there's a filter here, now. I can see what's going on.

The problem with “Henry Johnson” is that we’ve heard it all by now — in fact, we’re living it — and what once felt like a cruel breath of fresh air has acquired the stifling nature of a pose.

The text might not be vintage Mamet, but it’s a real meal.

The dynamics of the action are shaky, but even more so are the dynamics of character. In short, I’m not buying what Mr. Mamet’s hustlers are selling.

The film is more hole than bullet&#59; though it’s still thrilling to hear actors fire out Mamet’s heated arguments, when the dust clears from the film’s dense conversations, what remains is hollow.

[Its] staginess is offset by their blistering investigation of morality, manipulation, individual and social responsibility, and masculine power.

Isn’t first-rate Mamet. But it retains a tinge of the power his work once reliably delivered, diluted perhaps but still distinctive.

LaBeouf is potent, evincing an almost hypnotic power in his steely, bracing confidence, but the film feels contrived to the point of distraction

LaBeouf's best work in ages. Maybe ever.

Rather than being impressive like a magician performing a trick, it becomes repetitive. Overall, Henry Johnson is an intriguing story worth watching for the phenomenal supporting performances.