Page 22 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, III & IV • October 1, 2014 ‘A Walk among the Tombstones’ is gritty tale by Dennis Seuling “A Walk among the Tombstones,” stars Liam Neeson in the type of role that has become his specialty -- the flawed action hero. This time, he plays Matthew Scudder (Liam Neeson), a former cop who is a recovering alcoholic. He left the force because of a tragic incident and now works as an unlicensed private investigator, doing “favors” for people who, in exchange, give him “gifts.” Eventually, Scudder gets involved with two kidnappers (David Har- bour, David Thompson) who nab women, take the ransom, and kill them anyway. The wife of drug dealer Kenny Kristo (Dan Stevens) is their latest victim. Kristo hires Scudder to bring him his wife’s killers, but after doing his research, Scudder real- izes the depravity of the murderers and knows they will kill again. They target drug dealers and traffickers who will likely have large sums of money on hand to pay large ransoms. Scudder is a lonely person who has the time and patience to seek out witnesses, interview them, piece the facts together, and follow leads. It is a lonely job, but along the way he meets streetwise teenager TJ (Brian “Astro” Bradley), sitting out a rainstorm in the library. Though TJ figures in the Lawrence Block detective novels on which Matthew Scudder (Liam Neeson) is a private investigator on the trail of kidnappers in ‘A Walk among the Tombstones.’ the film is based, the character seems jarring and out of place in this dark tale that draws upon elements of “Seven” and “Silence of the Lambs.” TJ tags along with Scudder and becomes a partner of sorts, providing some legwork in the investigation. TJ might be included to contrast his innocence with the frighteningly sinister deeds that form the basis of the investigation, but his character is never fleshed out enough and he becomes a curious addition to this melodrama since he is never involved enough to make a difference. TJ is intelligent, but seems an add-on rather than integral element. Neeson plays Scudder differently from his Bryan Mills character of the “Taken” films. Mills is quick to action, lightning fast in his assessment of danger, and just as quick in determining how best to get out of it. Scudder is far more low-key and thoughtful. He has been around long enough and seen enough of the foul side of humanity to know that some things cannot be changed. This insight is tied into the 12-step program he follows to stay on the wagon. His prag- matic approach can be off-putting to clients who demand immediate satisfaction, but Scudder looks beyond what may appear to be solutions. He makes a point of under- standing the mindset of the bad guys, however demented and sick, to determine how to move forward. Neeson is the best aspect of the film. He commands the screen effort- lessly, as only a true movie star can. Director Scott Frank sets up a creepy milieu with a per- vasive sense of danger. Brief clips of women being tortured are naturally upsetting, especially because of the pleasure exhibited by the perpetrators. Fortunately, Frank gives these scenes just enough screen time to make clear that the kidnappers are psychotics who enjoy seeing their victims suffer. He does not dwell on them, but they are enough to cast a pervasive sense of gloom and hopelessness. Rated R, “A Walk among the Tombstones” is an unset- tling look at the depths to which human beings will stoop in exchange for money and the satisfaction of wielding power over helpless victims.