The Art of Self Defense
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Alessandro Nivola, Imogen Poots
Director: Riley Stearns
Casey (Jesse Eisenberg) is a mild mannered and unassuming accountant who has no friends, lives alone with his dachshund, and listens to adult contemporary music. After getting mugged by a group of bikers, he searches for a way to protect himself against any future attacks. After being put on the waitlist for a handgun, he wanders into a dojo and becomes determined to learn karate and begins day classes taught by Sensei (Alessandro Nivola). Considering Casey a pet project, Sensei takes him under his wing and teaches him that the way to solve his problem is to become more masculine (get in fights, listen to metal music, get a manlier dog). Rising quickly up the ranks, earning a yellow belt and being invited to the more advanced night class, he crosses paths with Anna (Imogen Poots), Sensei's oldest student who has yet to achieve black belt and is stuck teaching the kids class. After attending the night class, Casey soon learns Sensei's true intentions and realizes their meeting may not have been one of chance.
This is a darkly humorous movie that seeks to destroy the idea of toxic masculinity. Fans of Fight Club will probably recognize many similar aspects. This goes some dark places (there were a couple of walk outs about halfway through the film) that force the viewer into some uncomfortable moments and we ultimately even begin to question Casey and his motivations. There's plenty to talk about once the credits have rolled.
This is dark satire at its best. A lot of the performances and scenes, especially those set outside the dojo, are directed in such a wooden and unnatural way that it's hard not to laugh.
Jesse Eisenberg had kind of floated out of my consciousness recently and he turns in a performance that definitely helps reestablish him as an actor to watch. He is fantastic, giving Casey's character arc fantastic depth and is actually believable in his karate scenes. Alessandro Nivola is the star of the show here. I thought he was fantastic in last year's Disobedience, but his Sensei is equal parts terrifying, devious and funny. I hope his stellar work in the indie world gets him more roles in mainstream films.
Less successful is the Anna subplot. Imogen Poots does what she can with the role, but while it was refreshing that she isn't ever turned into the token love interest, her frustration at always being passed over for black belt isn't as developed as it could have been. Her story could have been a powerful addition yet it didn't quite get there.
A thought provoking and darkly humorous film. It's not for everyone but there is a lot to digest if you're willing to sit through some darkness.
B+