Liam Neeson’s best work in years in A Walk Among the Tombstones

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘A Walk Among the Tombstones’ — Liam Neeson drops the Mr Vengeance act in his best work in years.

A Walk Among the Tombstones (MA15+)

Director:Scott Frank (The Lookout)

Starring:Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, Boyd Holbrook, David Harbour.

Rating : ***1/2

Fifty shades of grave

Even though hard-boiled crime author Lawrence Block has penned a stack of well-received books over the past five decades, the movies are yet to properly make his acquaintance.

This disconnect may finally end with A Walk Among the Tombstones, a gritty, greyed-out film noir featuring Block’s most enduring creation, lone-wolf New York private eye Matthew Scudder.

At this point, it should be mentioned the role of Scudder, a lifelong alcoholic perpetually hovering between recovery and relapse, is played by Liam Neeson.

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Lone-wolf ... Liam Neeson as Matthew Scudder and TJ (played by Astro — Brian Bradley) in a scene from film A Walk Among the Tombstones.

This could be a deal breaker for many potential viewers. For many years, Neeson has been flooding the market with formulaic fare that has positioned him as a mature-age Mr Vengeance.

However, for those about to put a red line through his latest effort, it might be best not to be so hasty. Taken 3 is the one you probably should be worried about

For this very strong thriller is the best thing Neeson has been involved with for years.

The film takes place in 1999, at the very time most panic merchants have been bit by the Y2K bug.

Neeson’s Scudder clearly couldn’t give two hoots if the world is about to end. As he’s always only a single drink away from his own oblivion, what would be the point?

After quickly getting the basics down, the focus switches to a murky, and rather repugnant case from Scudder’s files.

Not easy viewing ... Actor Dan Stevens as Kenny Kristo talks to Liam Neeson’s character Matthew Scudder (back to camera) in A Walk Among the Tombstones.

Some unknown kidnappers are running up some big ransoms around town, but are not returning their victims once the cash demands are met. At least, they are not returning their victims alive.

These badsters are getting away with it because they only abduct associates of those who cannot call the cops. You know, major drug dealers and like.

Scudder is forced to spearhead a private investigation which gets stranger and more threatening to all involved with each passing day.

The film steadfastly refuses to sweeten the deal for its audience. It is not an easy viewing experience in any way.

However, Neeson’s committed display and some gut-wrenching work from writer-director Scott Frank commands full attention at all times.

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Originally published as Liam Neeson’s best work in years in A Walk Among the Tombstones