Man on Fire

Do you remember the novel "Amanush" by Humayun Ahmed? or the "Masud Rana" episode of "Agni Purush" by Kazi Anwar Hossain? (I liked "Amanush" better...)

The original story "MAN ON FIRE" by AJ Quinnell (a best seller of the 80s) is now a major movie (released in the US last month) with Denzel Washington playing the MAN.

An alcoholic, washed out ex-CIA operative who has given up on every purpose in life, takes on the job of a bodyguard of a 10-year old daughter of an industrialist in Mexico City plagued by kidnappings. Despite his bitterness, the girl wins his heart and they become good friends. Just as the MAN begins to re-discover life, the girl is kidnapped and he is critically injured during the shoot-out, only to come back with vengeance to unleash his rage on those involved in the crime. This movie, however, is the second venture.

The first movie was released in 1987, with Scott Glenn playing Creasy (the MAN), left a lot to be desired although Glenn himself was not really a bad choice.

This latest attempt follows the original book at a closer level and is undoubtedly a better product. Though Denzel was a surprise choice, he makes it up with his massive talent and superb screen presence. Dakota Fanning, playing Pita, the 10-year old girl, is as good as the book. Although the movie has an entirely different end than the book, it is justified in every sense if one understands the personal trauma of Creasy trying to come to terms with his humane and killer instincts. Available in Dhaka in copied (camera-print) DVD formats, the movie is must-see for all Denzel Washington and Quinnel fans.