Hopkins is Ted Crawford, a successful businessman with his own company, who learns of an affair his wife is having with a stranger. Crawford seemingly loses control and shoots his wife at their home, however his actions after the murder appear to be more pre-meditated. Once the police and the district attorney’s office become involved, Crawford has laid his trap - a trap which over-confident but charming Assistant D.A. Willy Beachum (Gosling) walks right into. Beachum, on his way out of his current position to a high-paying job at a prestigious law firm, needs to wrap this last case up quickly. Crawford uses this lack of attention to his advantage, but will Beachum figure out the murderer’s game before he is acquitted?
The well-written story gives the audience plenty of twists and turns throughout the movie, as we try to guess at Crawford’s plan. The unlikely pairing of Hopkins with Gosling is a good fit, creating a tension between the actors you can feel and some unanticipated moments of dark humor. As an attorney, I felt the anticipation and preparation for trial as expressed by Gosling, along with the dread of watching a good case go bad - rang true. The story goes even deeper, testing the moral fiber and legal ethics of this assistant D.A. who is unaccustomed to losing.
While the film itself spirals a little off target near the end, dragging the resolution out too long, it does give the audience an opportunity to see a different side of Gosling’s character. Hopkins proves that the true monsters are not the ones who rant and rave but who silently describe their crimes while looking you straight in the eye. The casting of Hopkins and Gosling, along with a good story, elevates “Fracture” above the standard legal yarn and into true courtroom melodrama.
Rated R for language and some violent content.
