You know a film is worth its weight when it dares to paint a stark picture of the world without bowing to the pressure of virtue-signaling narratives. Full Contact (2015) is a refreshing dive into the complexity of human emotion and moral ambiguity without tipping a hat to the weakness of political correctness. Directed by David Verbeek, this Dutch film starring Grégoire Colin takes us on a mind-bending odyssey. It was unleashed upon the world in 2015 and shot in the breathtaking landscapes of the United Arab Emirates and Croatia. It's a film that spares no punches, immersing viewers in its gripping exploration of a drone operator grappling with his conscience after a brutal mistake.
The flick pulls no punches and pays no mind to our delicate age of safe spaces. Instead, it introduces us to Ivan, a man whose day job is flipping a switch to rain down destruction from above – a job that might put some high-and-mighty moralists on edge. But here lies the intriguing crux of the matter. Ivan accidentally kills innocent people. Most Hollywood renditions might press pause and wave the white flag to pacify guilt, but Full Contact takes a different route on this journey of self-destructive and la-la-land "self-identification."
The heart of the narrative beats furiously in Ivan’s struggle with his own humanity. It's a relentless examination of guilt, identity, and what it means to carry on in the face of wrongful death. His search for self and redemption invites us into the dark corridors of his mind where philosophical questions echo off the walls. So, what sets this film apart from the usual fare? Plainly put, it’s unafraid to depict the severe consequences of violence without casting anyone as the outright villain. It's a film where the characters, much like in real life, exist in varying shades of gray, reminding viewers that complicating factors often dance in the shadows behind simple decisions.
Round and round the ethical conundrum carousel spins, as viewers might question: What do you do when grappling with a mistake that can't be undone? Humanity isn’t defined by politically correct afterthoughts or crafted redemption arcs. Instead, it’s about navigating through the stormy seas of our mistakes, seeking a path forward.
Cinematically, the film is a visual feast. The desolation of the desert scenes parallels Ivan's isolation. The Western world is often caught up in the tale of the hero’s clean cut redemption arc where the villain finally sees the error of their ways, tearfully repenting before organically receiving their never-saw-it-coming comeuppance. Ivan’s journey is, by contrast, a harrowing escape from his own mind, fighting with the personal demons of regret, anger, and guilt. This movie chose nerve and edge over saccharine conclusions.
Those who crave films that tie everything in a neat bow and deliver a sermon on morality may find themselves wringing their hands in despair. Full Contact opts for a raw, unfiltered look at human suffering, suggesting that sometimes, there are no easy answers, no apologies big enough to scrub away certain stains. It’s a raw narrative that stands across the aisle from modern liberal thought, which tends toward glorifying the notion that a problem is merely an opportunity for growth along the scripted path of redemption.
Its pacing? Deliberate, precise, never hastening to satisfy hunger for cheap thrills. Each frame is purposeful, steeped in thematic richness, demanding viewers ponder the gnawing questions it raises. And therein lies its genius. It leaves questions unanswered, inviting viewers to sit in the discomfort of what's left lingering in the air. A complex, emotional character study packaged as a thriller, Full Contact whispers in the ears of audiences ensnared by emotion and free thought, setting them free by refusing to hold their hand.
Is it an easily accessible action flick? Far from it. Not everyone appreciates a film that's willing to unsheath the complexities of the human psyche with such unsettling clarity. But for those who seek a movie that moves beyond the sugar-coated sterilization of reality, who yearn for stories with some grit, it's a title that demands attention. By sidestepping the predictable and leaning into the uncertain, Full Contact challenges us to understand the blurry lines drawn between right and wrong, choice and consequence.
Do yourself a favor, take a break from the manufactured outrage and polished stories pretending life is nothing short of an insta-filtered dreamscape. Full Contact shows us a touching story, soaked in a realism that smacks the gullible rose-tinted glasses right from our noses. Not a story of clear heroes and villains, but of human struggle – as genuine and challenging as life ever dares to be.