A Score to Settle
| A Score to Settle | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Shawn Ku |
| Screenplay by | John Stuart Newman |
| Produced by | Kevin DeWalt Eric Gozlan Danielle Masters |
| Starring | Nicolas Cage Benjamin Bratt |
| Cinematography | Mark Dobrescu |
| Edited by | Chad Galster |
| Music by | John Kaefer |
Production companies | Highland Film Group GoldRush Entertainment Mind's Eye Entertainment Paragon Media Production Saturn Films Ingenious |
| Distributed by | RLJE Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $171,216[1] |
A Score to Settle is a 2019 American action-thriller film directed by Shawn Ku. It stars Nicolas Cage and Benjamin Bratt.[2] It was released on August 2, 2019, by RLJE Films.
Plot
An ex-enforcer for a local crime syndicate has vowed to enact retribution on his mob bosses after 19 years of wrongful imprisonment. The only thing diverting him from his violent plans is a newfound relationship with his son.
Cast
- Nicolas Cage as Frank
- Nicole G. Leier as Sleepy's Daughter
- Benjamin Bratt as Q
- Ian Tracey as Tank
- Karolina Wydra as Simone
- Nicole Muñoz as Isha
- Noah Le Gros as Joey
- Mohamed Karim as Jimmy
Production
Filming locations are in British Columbia, Canada. Cage learned to play piano for his role in the film.[3]
Release
In April 2019, RLJE Films acquired distribution rights to the film and set it for an August 2, 2019, release.[4]
Reception
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 15% based on 20 reviews, with an average rating of 3.8/10.[5] Metacritic gave the film a weighted average rating of 37 out of 100, based on six reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[6]
Justin Lowe of The Hollywood Reporter called the film "forgettable" and "underwhelming", and said: "Ku shows a decent grasp of plot mechanics, but never manages to adequately develop the characters or effectively modulate the film’s pacing, even in the brief action scenes, which prove too tame by typical Cage standards."[7] Noel Murray from Los Angeles Times similarly criticized the plot, action sequences, and development of underworld characters. However, he praised Cage's performance, writing: "With him, the movie isn’t just watchable, it’s occasionally riveting. ... Cage plays even the blandest pulp material with soul and gusto, as though the pathetic grudges of a petty criminal were the stuff of epic drama".[8]
Sean Boelman of Popaxiom gave the film a mixed rating of 2.6/5, writing that: "A Score to Settle is a ton of fun for what it is. If you come in expecting a masterpiece, you will surely be disappointed. However, if you want a schlocky action movie featuring the always entertaining Nicolas Cage, this movie is definitely worth the rental fee".[9]
References
- ^ "A Score to Settle (2019)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
- ^ McNary, Dave (October 26, 2017). "Nicolas Cage to Star in Action-Thriller 'A Score to Settle'". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (October 26, 2017). "Nicolas Cage Has 'A Score To Settle' In Action Thriller From Highland Film Group – AFM". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (April 23, 2019). "Nicolas Cage Action Thriller 'A Score To Settle' Getting August Release In RLJE Films Deal". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
- ^ "A Score to Settle (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ^ "A Score to Settle Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
- ^ Lowe, Justin (August 2, 2019). "'A Score to Settle': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
- ^ Murray, Noel (August 1, 2019). "Review: Nicolas Cage has 'A Score to Settle'; plus 'The Operative' and more". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
- ^ Boelman, Sean (July 29, 2019). "Review: A SCORE TO SETTLE Is A Fun But Generic Revenge Thriller". Popaxiom. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
