Absolution - AD Intro

Absolution Thug – AD introduction – Naomi Paul

Hans Petter Moland’s Absolution is about a low-level organized criminal who realizes he’s coming to the end of his life and that maybe the younger criminals who call him a “dinosaur” may actually have a point. The lead character Thug is played by Taken’s Liam Neeson, the 72-year-old ex-gangster is moving a little slower than he used to, and these days he’s finding it hard to remember the simple things, for example, his address and even the names of his children. The children and grandchildren who he’s trying to reconnect with after years of neglecting them.

The story takes place in America’s Massachusetts and Thug lives alone in a one storey house by Boston Harbour. He has a view of the river from his living room window which is where he spends a lot of time stood looking out at an old house across the road from him and the planes coming into land.

We are first introduced to thug when he pulls up to his home in his red Chevrolet car, hes a quiet man with little possessions and seems to have a lot going on in his mind. Later he meets with his boss’s son Kyle Conner played by Daniel Diemer. Kyle is a cocky young man in his late 20’s who’s keen to be his dads right hand man in the crime world but has been paired with Thug to learn the ropes, although he’s unsure what this ‘old man’ could teach him.

Thug meets a black woman in a bar after saving her from an altercation with another man – her name isn’t mentioned but the pair share intimate moments during the film and she offers support to Thug after being the first person to find out about his deteriorating health. Thug isn’t always accepting of her help, but we see how he really feels about her towards the end when he comes to her rescue again.

Ron Perlman’s character is Charlie Connor – Thugs boss. Charlie doesn’t appear much through-out the film but plays a pivotal part in Thugs actions. Charlie’s married and keep his hands clean from the dirty work by using Thug and his. Thug believes after years of working together that they have a good friendship - However after 30 years of business and Thugs deteriorating health Connor and Thugs relationship takes a turn.

Frankie Shaw plays Daisy Thugs adult daughter – she struggles with letting her dad back into her life but seems open to having him around. Daisy has 2 children a little girl and a son around 12 years old called Dre – Thug builds a relationship with Dre even attending one of his football games however Thugs actions in front of his grandson soon spoil the short bond they’ve made.

This wouldn’t be a Liam Neeson film without the action which it certainly delivers on, the 72-year-old ex criminal takes on men half his age, he battles moral dilemmas and fights to get this his family back.

Absolution Thug premiers on the 30th of November on Sky Premier at 1pm.