A Working Man Falls Short of Expectations

Jason Statham is an actor who excels in specific areas. He’s not only convincingly dramatic but also has a hidden talent for humor. However, it’s the action genre where he truly thrives. Known for his intense performances and physically demanding roles, Statham has earned recognition playing hardened characters. These qualities are evident in his new movie, “A Working Man“.

The movie you’re referring to is David Ayer’s latest work, a script he co-wrote with Sylvester Stallone. This story is adapted from Chuck Dixon’s 2014 novel “Levon’s Trade.” Although I haven’t read the book, I must say that the movie’s script doesn’t seem particularly innovative. Despite some bright moments, Ayer struggles to keep up a consistent pace. Ultimately, it’s Jason Statham’s strong charm that keeps the whole production intact.

In the current storyline, Statham takes on the role of Levon Cade, a former Royal Marines commando who’s chosen to move away from his past. Now, he works as a construction manager for a Chicago-based development company owned by the Garcia family – Joe (Michael Peña) and Carla (Noemi Gonzalez). The Garcias have welcomed Levon warmly into their fold, forming a close bond with him. He’s particularly close to their lively 19-year-old daughter, Jenny (Arianna Rivas).

However, just like in typical movies of this genre, Levon is compelled to revert to his previous lifestyle when Jenny gets kidnapped during a night out with friends. He vows to Joe and Carla that he’ll retrieve their daughter, and promptly sets to action. The storyline subsequently becomes entangled with human traffickers, drug dealers, corrupt police officers, and the Russian mafia, but instead of enhancing the narrative, they seem to complicate it unnecessarily.

In various aspects, the movie ‘A Working Man’ evokes memories of the action-packed films from the 1980s that we grew up watching. Jason Statham has consistently fit this mold while maintaining a unique style of action. However, in this film, he demonstrates his action prowess less than you might anticipate. This is due to the script being overloaded with various elements and struggling to handle them all effectively. The numerous villains included is one issue. But it also lacks depth in other areas such as the domestic conflict involving Levon’s daughter and his unaddressed PTSD.

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2025-04-02 17:56