‘Salt’ With Angelina Jolie Suffers From Lack of Flavor

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CHICAGO – Perhaps the creators of “Salt” took the potential double meaning of its title a bit too seriously because the film has been overloaded with one flavor at the expense of the variety that could have turned this well-done action movie into something a bit more memorable. Angelina Jolie is great and the film is undeniably expertly made but it’s also shockingly lacking in personality or moments to make it register as more than just an extended chase scene.

“Salt” is admittedly refreshing in its economy. In a season when so many films fall victim to the bloat that expands action films past the two-hour mark, it’s rare to see an efficient, tightly-edited, expertly-paced thriller like “Salt.” The film very rarely lets up on the gas pedal and there’s something to be said for its technical accomplishments alone.

On the other hand, “Salt” plays almost like a mid-season episode of “24” in that it has a similar, franchise-starting non-ending and doesn’t have the necessary dramatic weight to allow the audience to really give a damn about anything that’s happening on the big screen. Most of what happens is completely illogical and there’s simply not enough personality here to elevate the action into something more powerful like we’ve seen in films like “The Bourne Ultimatum” or “Casino Royale.” “Salt” is nowhere near the accomplishment of those super-spy ancestors and it’s disappointing because it’s hard to shake the feeling that it could have been.

Angelina Jolie stars as Evelyn Salt
Angelina Jolie stars as Evelyn Salt
Photo credit: Sony Pictures

We’re introduced to Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) bloodied, half-naked, and with a torturer pouring gasoline down her throat. She’s being held in a North Korean prison and denying that she’s even a spy. The scene is an important introduction because it plants the seed in the audience’s mind that this woman is willing to face any duress and not blow her cover.

Years later, a Russian defector walks into the super-spy factory and says he has an important story to tell. You know that urban legend that other countries have been planting spies in everyday American life and waiting years to put them in motion? It’s not a legend. He reveals that Lee Harvey Oswald was really a Russian and that since that plan went off so well, the Russians have been planting people in positions of power for decades. And he claims that one such plant is named Evelyn Salt and that she will kill the Russian President that afternoon in New York. The legendary “Day X” — the time when the long-gestating plan for World War III goes into effect — is here.

Naturally, most of Evelyn’s co-workers, including agents played by Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor, discount the story but the fact that he’s hooked up to lie-detecting machines that register his story as true raises enough eyebrows that they feel a few minutes with Ms. Salt might be in order. She’s not having it. She claims that the Russian’s story is merely a ruse and that she’s being burned to have her entire life destroyed. Naturally, this raises concerns that her husband could be killed or kidnapped and she escapes to find him. Or does she? Is she running to protect her love or to merely follow through on the planned assassination?

Angelina Jolie stars as Evelyn Salt
Angelina Jolie stars as Evelyn Salt
Photo credit: Sony Pictures

The ludicrous plot of “Salt,” which falls apart on almost the slightest examination, is basically just one extended chase sequence in which Salt escapes and runs to either save or destroy the free world. Luckily, director Phillip Noyce and writer Kurt Wimmer hired an actress talented enough to carry the weight of the entirety of the action. Jolie’s performance is sure-to-be underrated but it’s the best thing about the film. She completely sells her arc in a way that doesn’t wink at the audience and never once drops the impression that she could totally kick your ass. Schreiber and Ejiofor are both good but they’re better actors than the material they’re given here, which is not much at all beyond the plot points their characters need to serve.

There’s no time for deep character development, but how about a line or two that registers beyond the closing credits? How about a strong visual composition? Would it be hard to sketch a believable supporting character or two? How about a super-spy plan not so heavily reliant on dumb luck? What’s presented in “Salt” is incredibly well-done but that doesn’t stop it from being disappointing. It’s like a well-cooked piece of meat that wasn’t marinated or seasoned at all. You can appreciate the craft and still wish there had been a bit more flavor.

“Salt” plays off the audience adrenalin to make for a relatively enjoyable action film purely by the speed of its plot but it only works if you completely turn off your brain. Only after you turn your brain back on do you realize that the ride wasn’t as much fun as it could have or should have been and that you’re not too keen to go for another spin despite the franchise setup by the final scene. That’s the problem with even well-done popcorn entertainment – one flavor gets a little boring.

“Salt” stars Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. It was written by Kurt Wimmer and directed by Phillip Noyce. It is rated PG-13 and opens on July 23rd, 2010.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

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