ReelBob: ‘Brian Banks’ ★★★½

By Bob Bloom

On the surface, “Brian Banks” is a story of an actual individual’s attempts to clear his name and get back his life.

Underneath, though, it is a story of the nation’s legal system that is run more like a sausage factory — quickly grinding through those accused of crimes to keep the wheels of justice turning — than an institution interested in fairness and the truth.

What the movie lacks is fire; its emotional resonance is muted.

Like Norman Jewison’s “The Hurricane,” which starred Denzel Washington as boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, “Brian Banks” tells the story of a young athlete falsely accused of a crime.

In this case, a classmate accuses 16-year-old Brian Banks of rape and kidnapping. Banks’ lawyer convinces him to plead no contest, assuring him that he will be given probation.

Instead, he is sentenced to six years in prison and, when released, he is placed on parole, he must register as a sex offender and keep clear of parks and schools.

Before his conviction, Brian had a bright future. He was a star linebacker in high school, received a scholarship to play football at the University of Southern California and had dreams of playing in the National Football League.

All that, of course, was dashed.

“Brian Banks” should be on your list to view because of the performance of Aldis Hodge as Brian. He is a young man seething with frustration and some anger, not because he was wrongfully convicted, but because even after he has paid his debt, society continues to treat him as a prisoner.

No one will give him a job; he must wear an ankle monitor and his movements are restricted.

Worse, he cannot persuade anyone to help him battle the legal system to prove his innocence.

He finally discovers the California Innocence Project, headed by attorney Justin Brooks, played by Greg Kinnear. But even Brooks is reluctant to take Banks’ case.

Hodge displays Banks’ tenacity and determination that he showed on the high school football field and ultimately convinces Brooks to stand by him.

Together, and with the help of Brooks’ young team, they get Banks his day in court.

“Brian Banks” is an inspirational story — yet it fails to soar emotionally. For some unknown reason, director Tom Shadyac uses an even-keeled approach to expose Banks’ unfortunate situation.

This movie cries out for, if not outrage, then at least some indignation about the failures and shortcomings of the judicial process.

Banks never fully realized his NFL dreams, though he did play a few preseason games with the Atlanta Falcons in 2013, before being cut.

And while that may seem like a satisfying ending, it also is sad. We will never know where Banks’ potential could have taken him — and that is the tragedy of the movie.

It is sad because, yes, justice was served, but at a pace that cost a young man the full life he sought.

What is sadder still is that more men like Brian Banks are incarcerated in prisons throughout this country, and their dreams also may have been derailed because our court systems seem more interested in expediency than right or wrong.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

BRIAN BANKS 2½ stars out of 4 (PG-13), adult themes and content, language, disturbing images

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9-PqY5pEeo