A Man of Action
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A Man of Action
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that A Man of Action is a film based on the life of Lucio Urtubia, an anarchist whose bank robbing and laundering schemes got him in the crosshairs of the French and American governments. The film has scenes of violence, including police chases, car chases, fights, and gunfire. There's erotic magazines and kissing. The film also has smoking and drinking scenes. Language includes "s--t," "son of a bitch," "goddamn it," a--holes," "ass," "f--k," "bastards," and potentially ableist words and phrases ("are you deaf," "idiots").
What's the Story?
A MAN OF ACTION is based on the life story of anarchist Lucio Urtubia (Juan José Ballesta), who concocted a series of bank robbery and money laundering schemes to steal from the French banks and give back to the working class. His biggest scheme, involving travelers' checks, put him on the radar of the American government, which wanted Urtubia put behind bars before he further eroded trust in the banking system.
Is It Any Good?
A Man of Action has the bones of a good, intriguing story. After all, learning about anarchist Lucio Urtubia (José Ballesta) and seeing his cat-and-mouse game with the French and American governments dramatized should be engaging. However, the film is a little drawn-out, so the battle of wits between Lucio and the police isn't as nail-bitingly tense as it could be.
However, if you like a thriller that has a slower pace (more like a drama), then A Man of Action is for you. It does have great acting, character development, and atmosphere, and once you get used to the pace, the film's storyline can become engrossing. But if you want a film that focuses solely on action, this film might leave you feeling a bit bored or unsatisfied.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Lucio Urtubia's life. What did Lucio believe in? Why was he willing to put his life on the line for his beliefs?
Why does Lucio believe he's an anarchist?
What do Lucio and his team try to accomplish with bank robberies?
How does Lucio show empathy for the working class? Why is this an important character strength?
Does Lucio balance his fatherhood duties with his anarchist goals? How so?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: November 30, 2022
- Cast: Juan José Ballesta, Luis Callejo, Liah O'Prey, Ben Temple, Alexandre Blazy
- Director: Javier Ruiz Caldera
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Thriller
- Character Strengths: Empathy
- Run time: 111 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: December 12, 2022
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