Based on the best-selling mystery book series by Lawrence Block, this action-packed film follows the story of ex-NYPD cop Matthew Scudder, after he reluctantly agrees to help find the men who kidnapped and brutally murdered a drug kingpin’s wife. Liam Neeson plays an ex-New York cop turned private eye, who is hired by a drug kingpin to find the kidnapper who brutally murdered his wife. As he delves into the case, and discovers that he is not dealing with ordinary criminals, but twisted vigilantes who know their targets won’t turn to the law for help.
The film also stars Dan Stevens, best known for his role as the doomed heir on the TV series “Downton Abbey.” The British actor easily slips into the drug kingpin role with an American accent.
Matt gets help from his former colleague played by Ruth Wilson and a homeless 17-year artist, TJ (Astro). In a race against time, he tries to stop them before they get the chance to kill again. Unlicensed and operating just outside the law, Matt Scudder stops just short of becoming a monster himself.
The movie “A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES” is directed by Scott Frank.
Trailer
Liam Neeson
A widower since the unfortunate 2009 skiing accident of his actress wife Natasha Richardson, Neeson recently spoke about his midlife rebirth as an action hero, what he liked about playing the flawed Block character and what’s ahead.
Below is a very revealing interview with Liam Neeson that says its all.
Q: Scott mentioned that some characters like yours have to find the worst in themselves, before they can find the best. Could you comment on that as part of your human role?
Neeson: Did Scott say that? He probably would. He’s a writer. Yes, he had mentioned that to me when we’d met. I wanted to find some kind of research I could do, other than reading Larry’s books. I know some policemen, and one of them I know very, very well. I was able to get access to documents on serial killers, and not just the crimes, but also the police work that went into tracking them down, which was very, very fascinating. Any little minutiae of evidence they would find, and put it together with this, and does it connect, and oh my God, it does connect. That was fascinating. I thought Scott had done that on a continual basis, and maybe, unbeknownst to himself, it brings out the good in (the character). I think Scudder is a good, righteous old-fashioned kind of man. I think he has certain pillars of ethics that never change, even though he’s kind of f***** up in a lot of ways. But he’s essentially a good man.
Q: What was it about this character and the characters you’ve played that draw you into playing them? Is it something specific about playing the character that’s real and a tough guy too?
Neeson: I I’ve always liked these grizzled characters, who have one foot on the side of law and order, and the other foot in the bad guy’s camp. They’re always treading a very delicate line. I just find them very appealing. It’s great to get a chance to do that. I’m glad you think they’re realistic, because that’s what we’re trying to do.
Q: Is there a reason why you choose these characters? Or is it just because you’re so good at it?
Neeson: Thank you. I appreciate the compliment, I really do. Listen, I was in my 50s, when this “Taken” movie came out. I was sure it was just a straight-to-video, good little European thriller, well made. And Fox Studios took it and did this amazing sell job. They showed the trailer at big sporting events and the film became a hit. I started to get sent these action scripts, in my 50s! It was very flattering, and I felt like a kid in a toy shop, so why not do them? I didn’t pretend like I was a 27-year-old. I try in these fight scenes to fight as a 50-year-old—even though I’m 62. I’m not playing a superhero.
Q: There’s flashback scene in “A Walk Among the Tombstones,” where you’re an undercover cop, and you have long hair…
Neeson: (joking) It’s all my own, too.
Q: It establishes why your character is the way he is later in the movie. Can you talk a little bit about doing this scene, because it’s kind of an extended scene, and it keeps coming up throughout the film?
Neeson: We shot it over two or three days. We had access to an area North of Manhattan. We had that whole set of steps, where the bad guy falls down and stuff. It was on a Saturday, and we shot that bar scene during that week. So it was really only two or three days of the wig. I wanted to avoid that classic drunk stuff. That’s really hard to do—to act drunk. My character is a functioning drunk.
Q: Do you have an exercise routine or special training to be ready for whatever role comes up?
Neeson: I keep pretty fit, in life. Before going into a role like this, I step up the regimen a couple of months before. It’s important to keep fit, and I’m not talking about having perfect abs or stuff, but you have to be on top of your game, especially if you’re playing the lead. You have to look after yourself.
Q: You’ve got a packed schedule and you’re raising two sons by yourself. How do you balance all the work you’re doing with spending quality time with your kids? Is it something you have to work at?
Neeson: Oh yeah, I’ve got to. Listen, I have a great support team, I really do. Fantastic family. If I’m away on a project, my mother-in-law (the British actress Vanessa Redgrave) moves in. We’re sort of like chess pieces. (He chuckles.) But yes, it’s always a balance. I’m very fortunate to get to play these characters at this stage in my life. I love doing it, and I’ll keep doing it as long as they keep sending me scripts. My kids are used to it, from the time they were born. One of them was born on location. So they’re used to dad being away for certain periods of time. So far, it’s worked out okay.
Release
It is distributed by Solar Pictures (not Solar Films). Showing at your favorite theaters on September 19.
