When we think about the term ‘vigilante’, most of us think of such characters equal to Batman, Superman, or Spider-man. Someone, who decides to take matters into their own hands in order to deliver justice. Hollywood rarely delves into how dreary and violent it can be for our heroes. Movies rarely show how raw our hero’s story is when one decides to become someone who breaks the law in order to restore peace. This is where John Doe: Vigilante steps in. And, although it’s unsettling (especially given our world’s issues at hand right now)…this film’s message is one of the most important ones I’ve seen on screen in quite some time.
The movie’s premise is something we have seen throughout film’s history: Things are not right in the world (the film is set in Australia) and ‘John Doe’ (Battlestar Galactica’s Jamie Bamber) has had enough. Through brutal force, he is out to teach pedophiles, abusers, and murderers a lesson. He has no reason to attack people who have been incarcerated previously and learned their lessons. John Doe is only out to teach repeat offenders a lesson our justice system has failed to teach them. As like every other vigilante film, he has been a victim of a criminal’s misdeeds. However, unlike other stories we’ve seen play out on screen, our hero has no inkling to turn these individuals over to the authorities. They’ve had their chance, they have broken their word to be a better person, and there is nothing our courts can do to rehabilitate them. What else is there to do with garbage but to just to throw it out?
There are quite a few twists and turns in this film, so I can’t go much further into the plot without giving a few important tidbits away. What I can say is that the film made me feel uncomfortable and I mean that in the best way. We see John Doe jailed, giving his story to a reporter, while his ‘followers’ try to continue his message (enough is enough). This is where I found myself uncomfortable. Whereas, John Doe handles things matter-of-fact, his followers are messy. They seem to think it’s all about following in someone’s shoes and not about the message. Even after watching the film three times, I still hid my eyes during their attacks. This is why John Doe: Vigilante is an important film. It let’s the viewer know its okay to want an eye for an eye; but, it’s not okay to take things into their own hands. Things become messier and violence increases for the victim’s “rights”. There is a tug and pull you feel while watching the film: good versus evil. Where does good end and evil begin?
This movie had me sitting at the edge of my seat, ready to face its next twist. Mr. Bamber conveys John Doe’s heartache and malice (which becomes intertwined). A fantastic supporting cast who, although hit the mark in delivery, are a backseat to such an important story.
Rating: Riveting, unsettling, important, and poignant, John Doe: Vigilante is a small film that deserves a very big welcome (8/10)
Mr. Jamie Bamber had a few moments to answer a few questions for me after viewing his film. Go see the film (a few times) and see what he has to say to some of my questions about his role.
Movie Buzzers: Throughout the film, it seems John Doe’s methods of murder are fairly quick and clean. However, his “followers” seem to commit more heinous, sloppy, and more violent acts of justice. In my viewing opinion, I see this to be intentional for the audience to view. Do you think this was something that was intentional in the script by Mr. Coates and Mr. Dolen? And, if so, do you think this was an important aspect to the film (showing the difference between the vigilante and an angry mob)?
Jamie Bamber: I think you’re right. The film poses questions. At first the answers might appear to be straight forward. Clean cut. And that is where a lot of revenge-porn films remain. Our film is not content to let the audience stay comfortable with that. We push through to the dirtier, grayer areas where real life happens. Violence is not easy or clean. Neither is justice. That is John Doe’s journey and our audience’s. Kel and Steve wrote a script that I felt artfully exposes many of our delusions about the world in which we live. I certainly don’t believe in a world of heroes and villains where violence can easily be “just.”
: As a mother of an 8 year old, I felt the last 25 minutes of the film to be quite poignant and felt empathy for John Doe. His rage towards his daughter’s murderer was quite valid and something you delivered exceptionally well through the screen. As a father of 3 daughters, did you find John Doe’s shoes something to easily fill or was it a bit more difficult than some of your other roles due to the subject matter?
JB: It was both. Easy because I am a father and every parent has at some point had to imagine what it would be like to go through something like this and the emotions are so stark and so immediate. The rage and the loss are just beneath the surface of our love. But also difficult because those emotions are so painful, so real, that once released we begin actively to resist them.
MB: In the beginning of the film, we believe John Doe is committing these violent acts out of necessity because of the miserably failing justice system. However, by the end of the film, that idea is left to the audience to form their own decision. How do you interpret John Doe’s attitude towards him acting judge, jury, and executioner? Does he still only approach punishment as a necessity or has he begun to enjoy the position of vigilante?
JB: When I first read this script it shocked me. At times I felt myself persuaded into beliefs I do not hold – and that scared me. But then I realized that is what good stories do. They make you look at the world from perspectives you may actively despise. Hopefully that leads to understanding. I don’t want to say too much about my views but my take on the character was simple. I wanted only to play the man. His reality. At first the audience only sees the mask, the front he hides behind or the one reflected by the media. Gradually I hope they will understand why the mask is there, really see what lies behind it. But the real question is has the mask now become his reality? Can he remove it? Is he still a man at all or is he now a monster?
Q: Not to give away anything for the viewers, but the ending of the film leaves us hanging. Are there plans for a sequel and, if so, would you be onboard reprising the character of John Doe?
JB: The possibility for a sequel was mentioned to me while shooting and the ending was, I believe, open-ended enough to allow that. I have to say I don’t naturally think of this film as needing a sequel. It says it all and asks all the questions but who knows? I love the character and do think that he is so complex that we could explore more about what he has now become. Whether his actions were selfless or entirely selfish he has arguably sacrificed his own humanity on the way. That’s not an easy hero to follow and he now has followers who will try.
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