Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
A former mob enforcer who is released from prison after serving 22 years for a crime he didn't commit sets out on a path for revenge against the people who wronged him.
A Score to Settle follows a well-worn revenge thriller template — wrongly imprisoned man seeks vengeance — without adding much distinctive flavor. Nicolas Cage brings his characteristically intense performance which elevates the film somewhat, but the plot is predictable and derivative of countless similar crime thrillers. The insomnia subplot adds a minor wrinkle but isn't developed with enough depth to differentiate the film. Cinematography is functional but unremarkable, and the ending resolves without much impact or surprise. The father-son dynamic provides occasional emotional grounding but ultimately the film feels like a by-the-numbers entry in the genre.