Meanwhile we have Mira (Emmy Raver-Lampman), a journalist looking for her next big story who thinks she may be onto something. She has a tantalizing new source, an agent risking his life to reach her. Her self-involved British editor is skeptical, though. In fact, he says at one point: “If you do find something, tread lightly.”
Wait, what? “Tread lightly” on a potentially explosive scoop? It’s only one of the ways in which the portrayal of this (thankfully) fictitious news organization is absurd. Also, like Block’s home, the newsroom is low-lit and sleek and uncluttered. Right, and later, another top editor says in a news meeting: “Sometimes I think it’s better to live in the happiness of the unknown.” Sorry, but what kind of a news organization IS this? Was there no consultant budget?
Anyway, it all comes to a head when Block realizes what his superiors are up to. He teams up with Mira to get to the bottom of it. Needless to say this ups the danger, and now his family’s at risk, and we all know what happens when a Neeson character’s family is threatened.
Director and co-writer Mark Williams keeps the action moving reasonably well, most effectively in a showdown inside a home with another sleek kitchen and a really good wine rack. While most characters not named Block get cartoonish treatment, the one who fares best is Mira, whom Raver-Lampman infuses with welcome humanity and gumption (a veteran “Hamilton” theater performer, hers is a career to watch.)
As for Neeson, what can we say? He could keep doing this ’til he’s 80, but surely there’s something better out there. As the film’s closing song goes, “every story needs a hero.” True, but every hero also needs a story. A better one.
“Blacklight,” a Briarcliff/Open Road release, has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America “for strong violence, action and language.” Running time: 105 minutes. One star out of four.
MPAA definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children younger than age 13.
