Absolution is yet another film in the category of “these actors from my youth are now old enough to play geezers with dementia and I’m not happy about it”. Between this one (Liam Neeson), Knox Goes Away (Michael Keaton), and Sleeping Dogs (Russell Crowe) I think the take-away is not to be a grizzled older actor and dementia will skip you. I think that’s the right lesson… what was I talking about?

Oh yeah, Absolution stars Neeson as an aging gangster who has rapid movie dementia disease. He ruggedly shuffles through his remaining time, trying to fix things with his family, his girlfriend, and his gangster boss (hi Ron Pearlman).

While I’m not much of a fan of this movies leaden pace, I can’t argue it doesn’t give Neeson more room to act that he’s had in a long time. This isn’t one of his geezer teaser action flicks; he’s putting in some hard grief, confusion, and tough-guy frustration. And I love that for him.

But the movie itself… it’s very over-stuffed, repetitive, and ponderous. There are certainly individual good scenes, but its totality is too sluggish to have kept my undivided attention. Some good scenarios and an ultimate attempt at redemption help, at least.

Absolution isn’t my favorite of Neeson’s recent movies but it is my favorite performance from him. Take that as you will whether it’s worth watching. I’m divided.

Score: 72