The Law Abiding Citizen
Reaction Paper
(Movie Analysis)
A Project in Ethics
Presented to
Dr. Danilo A. Tabalan
Ethics Professor
By
Group 2, Ethics 1-E
1. Jerah Lhyn N. Bandoquillo
2. Cyrus M. Geronimo
3. Vanessa Mae P. Gitana
4. Wianna Ageanne A. Hong
5. Nikka V. Sigue
Date of Submission: November 28, 2022
MOVIE REVIEW
LAW-ABIDING CITIZEN
1. Write the summary of the film
Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
The movie starts when two burglars named Clarence J. Darby and his accomplice Rupert
Ames come barging into the house of a Philadelphia engineer named Clyde Shelton. He witnesses
how the two rape and murder his wife and his five-year-old daughter leaving him emotionally
devastated. The bigger problem is that neither guy can be implicated by Shelton's testimony
because he was unconscious throughout the incident. After all, the case was tainted by a botched
forensic investigation as informed by career-driven prosecutor Nick Rice. Because he is concerned
a lot about his high conviction rate, he makes a secret agreement with Darby. Hence, Ames will
be put to death for what is effectively a robbery charge thanks to testimony provided by Rice in
exchange for admitting guilt to third-degree murder. Shelton feels that he is downright betrayed
by the public prosecutor.
Following ten years. The deadly injection killed Ames. He suffers a torturous death as a
result of a chemical change. Darby is identified as the suspect based on the initial evidence, and a
mysterious caller who informs him of the whereabouts of a pistol he might use to his advantage
warns him of coming police. He is told by the caller to come to him if he wants to avoid being
arrested by the police. When Darby arrives at the meeting spot, he discovers that Shelton is the
caller and his savior. Darby attempts to shoot him with the pistol but realizes it is a fake weapon
that injects him with tetrodotoxin, paralyzing him but keeping him conscious. Shelton restrained
him, making sure he would be conscious for a while. It is later discovered that Darby was recovered
in 25 pieces, and after an investigation, Rice and his team suspect Shelton. Shelton surrenders and
gets exiled.
The next scene is their demand of Shelton for a new mattress in his cell in exchange for a
confession. Rice refuses but, that was before he gets to know the news that Shelton sent Nick’s
family the video of Darby’s brutal murder and his daughter watched it. In court, he is granted bail,
but he is still jailed for disrespecting the judge by scolding and criticizing her angrily.
After he receives his mattress, he confesses not only to killing Darby but also to having
changed the lethal injection chemical that made Ames’ death agonizing. Shelton offers another
deal with Rice. He demands an expensive steak lunch and music to be delivered to his cell at
strictly 1:00, in exchange for the location of Darby’s Lawyer, Attorney Bill Reynolds, who was
missing at that time. The lunch was delivered eight minutes late but he still gives the coordinates
of where the lawyer might be. They found the lawyer buried alive and only minutes dead. Reynolds
has a time-mechanized oxygen tank and if only they delivered Shelton’s demand before or on time,
they could have rescued Attorney Reynolds. Shelton shares his lunch with his cellmate but, he
murders his cellmate using the steaks bone. He is then sent to solitary confinement.
The next scene is the conversation between Rice, Jonas Cantrell, the head of D. A., and a
former’s Central Intelligence Agency contact. He warns them that Shelton is more dangerous than
they think he is. Even though he is imprisoned he can hear and see them at all times, or far worse
being imprisoned is part of a bigger plan. He advises them that it is better to kill him otherwise, he
is unstoppable.
After that are terrifying scenes of the killings of people that can be linked with the case of
Shelton’s family and whom he is holding his grudges. To deny Shelton his civil rights and limit
his visiting privileges, Rice and Cantrell persuade Judge Burch to do so. After a few minutes,
Judge Burch answers a cell phone that explodes, instantly murdering her. Rice confronts Shelton
at the prison and says that unless he is freed by 6:00 a.m. with all charges withdrawn. He's going
to kill "everyone" tomorrow. Staff members of the DA gather until six in the morning. They are
sent home, but as they drive away, bombs hidden below them detonate, killing everyone inside,
including Sarah. Rice assumes that Shelton is utilizing a helper outside because he is still in jail.
An unidentified individual dressed in all-black activates a remote-controlled drone that is outfitted
with a rocket launcher and a machine gun at Sarah's funeral. Cantrell is killed as he is in an SUV
with a security detail. The stern mayor (Viola Davis), who is upset with Rice for failing to
safeguard everyone, appoints Rice as acting district attorney.
Nick finds out that Clyde has an auto repair shop close to the jail. Below the cells used for
solitary confinement, there is a tunnel that leads to a stash of weapons, disguises, and other
supplies. Each cell has a hidden entrance. He discovers that Clyde wanted to be kept in solitary
confinement all along since it allowed him to leave the facility undetected and commit his
premeditated killings while deceiving the authorities into believing they were the work of his
accomplices. The mayor is convening an emergency meeting at City Hall, which appears to be
Clyde's next target. Unable to locate Clyde, Nick and his guys instead find a suitcase bomb that
can be detonated using a cell phone in the room just below the conference.
When Clyde returns to his cell, Nick is waiting for him, which surprises him. Nick refuses
to make agreements with killers in the face of Clyde's subsequent offer after fully understanding
him. Despite Nick's best efforts to negotiate with Clyde, Clyde detonates the suitcase bomb,
forcing Nick to depart while also closing Clyde's cell behind him. When Clyde hears the
detonator's ringtone, he knows that Nick had relocated the device to his cell, but it's too late. Clyde
finds the bomb hidden beneath his bed. Before going back to his bed, Clyde flashes a little smile.
During the bomb's detonation, he takes out and inspects his daughter's bracelet.
At his own daughter's piano recital, which he had previously postponed because of work,
Rice is seen in the film's last scene. After the performance, he stands up with the audience to
applaud her.
2. Cite at least 3 conflicts shown in the movie. (Explain/Elaborate)
Conflict #1
CLYDE SHELTON VS BURGLARS
-
Between whom was the conflict?
The conflict was between Shelton whose family was murdered and raped in front of him
because he was forced to watch and the burglars who killed and raped Shelton’s family. I
think we could all agree that it is very clear what the conflict is and that is what the burglars
did that is so inhuman and unimaginably evil.
-
How the conflict started?
The conflict started when the burglars broke into the house of Shelton and his family. The
burglars raped and murder his wife and daughter, while he is forced to watch. Leaving him
emotionally scarred, feeling all the weight of the world behind his back. Just imagine
seeing the love of your life and the daughter you protected and cared for all your life being
raped and murdered in front of your eyes while you cannot do anything about it.
-
Was the conflict resolved?
Somewhat yes, when he witnessed what happened to his wife and daughter, he informed
the authorities and tried to seek justice for his family. But the justice system is so corrupted
and broken, and his family did not receive the justice they are supposed to have. And so
Shelton took matters into his own hands by killing the rapist and murderer who’s the one
responsible for the death of his family while trying to change the Justice System. Shelton’s
ways are not acceptable and humane as well, but as a grieving father and a loving husband,
he did what he had to do to give the right justice that’s supposed to be given by the Justice
System to his family. And no one deserves to witness what he has gone through, just
imagine all the pain and nightmares you have to deal with every day, facing the whole
world without the family you built and love more than your own life.
Conflict #2
NICHOLAS “NICK” RICE VS CLYDE ALEXANDER SHELTON
-
Between whom was the conflict?
The conflict was between Clyde Shelton, an engineer whose family was murdered before
his eyes, and Nick Rice, a prosecuting attorney who handled the case but was not able to
win against the murderer, Darby, because of foul evidence.
-
How the conflict started?
The conflict started when Nick Rice chose not to fight in the murder case of the Shelton’s
instead made a deal with Darby, the murderer of Clyde’s wife and daughter. Nick Rice
knew that they will not be able to win the case because of the foul evidence, and he cannot
afford to risk his reputation of being an excellent attorney, which is why he made a deal
with Darby to which he will receive a lighter punishment. Clyde was disbelieving and he
felt betrayed by both Nick, his attorney whom he trusted that will give justice to what
happened to his family, and the justice system of the country.
-
Was the conflict resolved?
I do think that the conflict was resolved at the end of the film when Nick and Clyde
apologized to each other though I think it was a bit too late since Clyde already made up
his mind of blowing the city hall up to murder everyone that is involved and supports the
justice system, and nick determined to eliminate Clyde to stop his madness.
-
How was the conflict resolved if ever it was resolved?
The death of Clyde served as the resolution of the conflict though they were able to
apologize for what happened before the explosion of the cell. Clyde heard what he wanted
to hear from Nick. Clyde wanted people to realize the purpose of all the things that he was
committing. He wanted to change the justice system by eliminating the people who
supported it. But Nick told him we people cannot retract the decisions that we once made,
but we can affect the decisions that we will be making from it. Nick also told Clyde that he
should stick to the principles that he had been preaching and that they are all held
accountable for their actions which include Clyde, and they ought to do the right thing. To
that statement of Nick, Clyde responded that he was doing the right thing. A few moments
before the explosion, Clyde thought of another deal but then nick told him that he won’t
make deals with murderers anymore, the words that Clyde wanted to hear from him. He
also told him that if pushed the murder that he planned, Clyde will be living that decision
for the rest of his life. It was like Nick was making Clyde choose between doing the right
thing or the wrong thing that he perceived as right. Nick was still trying to save Clyde for
the last time but sadly, Clyde was already determined in killing the people in the city hall,
little did he know that he will be murdered himself. And that, I think, is the resolution of
the conflict between Clyde Shelton and Nick Rice.
In my opinion, it is right for a person to seek justice but not in the form of vengeance
because vengeance will only result in wrongful and immoral actions. It will be just a neverending cycle of evil acts in this world that we are living in. As to Clyde’s case, I think the
only option that he thought of was the ‘eye for an eye justice. Seeking justice in the
decaying and corrupt justice system will be no use, the reason why he resorted to murdering
those people involved in the case and the justice system. He wanted them to suffer the way
or even worse than he suffered when his family died. He was right in seeking justice but
by the wrong means. Lastly, in our lives, indeed, we cannot take back everything or undo
the wrongful things we’ve done in the past, but do remember that we can learn from it and
make sure that we will not repeat the same mistake in the future. We may either learn from
it and move on, or live in regret for the rest of our life; the decision that we will be living.
Conflict #3
CLYDE SHELTON VS JUSTICE SYSTEM
-
Between whom was the conflict?
The conflict was between Clyde and The Justice system of Philadelphia. It arose when the
prosecutor chose to not defend the murder and rape case of Shelton’s family against Darby.
They failed to give their family the right justice that they deserve so Clyde took matters
into his own hands.
-
How the conflict started?
When Shelton’s family was murdered and raped before his eyes, he went to seek justice
for them but the justice system did not do its part to serve his family the right justice. We
could all agree that what happened to his family was horrible and inhuman, and the
murderer deserves to be convicted and rot in prison. So when he tried to give his family
justice, he started a conflict between himself and the justice system. He eliminated the
people behind the corrupted justice system and the people who supported it.
-
Was the conflict resolved?
The conflict was not resolved, and there’s no excuse for what the justice system did and
what Shelton did even when with the right intention in mind. The conflict between Shelton
and The Justice System worsen because both side did not do their part to resolve the conflict
and do the right thing from the beginning. All the efforts made by Shelton to change the
Justice System went in vain because he did it with the right intention but with the wrong
means and he died because of that reason.
3. Mention 3 particular topics of your subject that are strongly related to the conflicts
that took place in the movie. Show their relationship.
After knowing the conflicts, we observed that they are closely related to the topics that we
discussed in the subject, Ethics. The 'good as the end is one of the topics, which is closely
related to the conflict between Clyde Shelton and the burglars. After witnessing the murder
of Shelton's wife and daughter, he ought to seek justice for his family, no matter the means.
After the disappointment from the justice system, he decided to take matters into his own
hands by killing the said burglars. In correlation with the topic, justice became his good
end, disregarding if his ways of achieving it, killing the burglars, are considered good or
evil. Although this is considered good for Shelton, this may not be considered good by
other people as what is considered good for one thing may not be good for another. As for
us, we think that Shelton did an evil deed to achieve a good end, justice. In addition, Shelton
and the burglars are all conscious and willing upon the doing act, the latter, sexually
assaulting and murdering Shelton's family and Shelton, killing the said burglar, this can be
classified as an active intention, which means the person doing the act is conscious and
willing. After being disappointed and betrayed by the justice system, together with the
trauma from witnessing the said tragedy, he also felt a strong emotion that affected his
willingness for the act making him responsible for the act. Moreover, as he intended to
achieve justice by evil means that are considered direct voluntariness, however, a good end
does not justify an evil means.
On the other hand, the conflict between Shelton and Nicholas Rice is related to the topic
of fear, cooperation with evil, and conscience. Rice feared for his reputation as an attorney
which wavered his will, which led to the decision of making a deal with Darby. This act is
both voluntary and involuntary, he voluntarily made a deal with Darby for the sake of his
reputation, however, it is involuntary, as he wouldn't do it if it weren't for the foul evidence.
In addition, what Rice did is a cooperation of evil, specifically, material cooperation. He is
involved and indirectly cooperated with the evil deed of the burglars as he is part of the
reason why they will not be in jail, instead of fighting for justice for the family of others.
However, in the end, Rice admitted that what he did is wrong due to his conscience. This
is also proved when he declined the offer to help Shelton when Shelton tested Rice.
Lastly, the conflict between Shelton and the justice system is associated with the topic of
fear, ignorance, and responsibility for the acts of others. Fear, for Shelton, feared that this
injustice will continue which encouraged him to act. Ignorance, as the higher-up’s
ignorance of the corrupt justice system, makes them somewhat responsible for their acts
Shelton. Although this was all on Shelton's will and intention, this may not happen if they
lack ignorance and are doing the action to eliminate the corrupt justice system. The action
of Shelton may be prevented if it weren't for the lack of action of the justice system, holding
them accountable for their actions of Shelton.
4. What is the objective of the story?
A man's desire to reveal the flaws in the judicial system is the objective of the movie "Law
Abiding Citizen." The gruesome murder of his wife and little daughter by two intruders who broke
into his home was observed by Clyde Shelton (Butler). Then, he had to watch as his attorney Nick
Rice negotiated a compromise that spared the life of one of the killers while sending the other to
death row. The law-abiding citizen is a great movie written by Kurt Wimmer. The Justice System
is one of the most important tools available to society for the control of anti-social behavior.
Although it is difficult to convict people who are guilty of committing crimes, the criminal justice
system must demonstrate a balance between punishing the wicked and protecting the innocent
where innocent individuals were imprisoned. According to data that demonstrate the diverse
numbers of crimes committed in different places, many individuals have been impacted by crime
when they are proven guilty. Numerous injustices have occurred. These incidents were alike to
some of the movies where Shelton received injustice in his wife and daughter’s death. Shelton then
decided to create crimes to make the lawyers realize how they climb up the ladder to get success
as they bring injustice to the victims.
Law Abiding Citizen depicts a violent battle between the weak and the strong position people,
as well as overcoming the uneasiness caused by this tension. The movie’s second objective is to
explore modernity at its most extreme when governmental systems are exposed to an extraordinary
scenario. On several levels, the movie examines the idea of the exception (people with power).
The movie shows a political "state of exception" and how it reveals the actual essence of
sovereignty under a liberal-rational government. Clyde Shelton creates crimes threatening the
justice system to confront its internal contradictions.