A Walk Among the Tombstones is best defined as a darker, two-part episode of Criminal Minds. The film shares a lot in common with the show; similar morals, story structure, characters and even considerable screen time towards its monster criminals (breaking down their twisted mindsets). Though if A Walk Among the Tombstones is similar to Criminal Minds, then it’s comparable to one of its better episodes; particularly towards the last third where things really pick up and Liam Neeson truly shines.
Neeson is a very unique actor, with most of his roles incorporating the character traits of seriousness, stone-faced emotion and complete bada$$ery. Such a performance has become so ingrained in audience minds (thanks largely to his action-popcorn flicks) that it’s hard to believe Neeson’s first acclaimed film role ended with him sobbing on his knees. Yet the appeal certain people (such as myself) find in his roles is despite the stony outlook, Neeson still showcases visible emotion. Neeson’s character Scudder possesses all three character traits, yet gives hints throughout of what he’s truly feeling; it isn’t necessary for Scudder to speak his mind for its conveyance to be clear.
He’s a hurt man haunted by a past mistake he cannot forget, yet unable to escape the lifestyle that caused it; a restless man in search of some peace of mind. Whether that comes from his AA meetings, helping a homeless kid such as TJ, or being murderer in cold blood doesn’t make much difference to him. Scudder appears numb to the world of crime and violence, joking about his shady work (when a drug trafficker asks if being a crooked cop was his reason for quitting the force, he sarcastically remarks how it actually helped feed the wife and kids) and fearlessly laughing off one of the serial killer’s remarks; yet underneath it’s quite clear he’s emotionally disturbed by the killer’s actions, along with feeling ashamed by his own (though that doesn’t mean he’s discontinuing them). For me that’s the difference between a good actor and a bad one; a bad actor plays a serious character and feels wooden, a good actor acts serious and is able to showcase the desired emotions underneath.
While the film’s first half is mostly focused on its crime aspect, it’s the second half where the thriller part begins to kick in. I’ll admit the film had me worried several times throughout, coming way too close to using major clichés before switching up at the last moment (i.e. when T.J. hides in the killers’ van). There’s also a few moments where the film either misses a great opportunity, or uses a cinematic technique that distorts the intense pacing (such as having the AA steps said during the trade confrontation). Yet the last third is still exciting, intense and disturbing all in one; though what made it distinctive was Scudder getting the psychological advantage on our monster villains. Rather than having the killers “already know” everything about our protagonist, its Scudder who instead knows everything about them. There’s some intense back-and-forth mind games between Scudder and one of the killers, which concludes in a grim yet satisfying way.
If there’s one true difference between Criminal Minds and A Walk Among the Tombstones, it’s that the “good guys” of the film really aren’t good at all; they’re druggies and gangsters, drug dealers and killers. In Criminal Minds these guys would be considered scum, here they’re complex anti-villains that can be rooted for thanks to who they’re up against. This (along with a few other “grim” aspects) makes A Walk Among the Tombstones much darker than your typical Criminal Minds episode, as well as more gritty, intense and realistic; cause in actuality, nearly everyone’s got a dark side to them.
