The high fenced Arizona and Mexican border, Mexican cartels, gun violence and more. These are just a few highlights of the latest action thriller film, The Marksman directed by Robert Lorenz.

Hardened Arizona rancher Jim Hanson (Liam Neeson) wanted to be left alone as he fended off eviction notices and tried to make a living on an isolated stretch of borderland. But everything changed, when the ex-Marine witnessed the 11-year-old migrant Miguel (Jacob Perez) fleeing with his mother Rosa (Teresa Ruiz) from drug cartel assassins led by the ruthless Mauricio (Juan Pablo Raba). After being injured, Rosa begged Jim to take her son to safety to her family in Chicago. Defying his step-daughter, Sarah (Katheryn Winnick), Jim sneaked Miguel out of the local U.S. Customs and Border Patrol station. Together, they hit the road with the group of killers in pursuit. Jim and Miguel overcome their differences and started to forge an unlikely friendship, while Mauricio and his fellow assassins trailed them across the country.

You might have watched films produced or directed by Robert Lorenz that were nominated at the Academy Awards such as Letters from Iwo Jima and American Sniper. With a familiar looking theme, such as the father figure teaching the younger ones on how to defend himself despite the circumstances, Jim taught Miguel the importance of making the right choices in life while they bond over sweets snacks like Pop Tarts.

I felt that the film was pleasant and kind of straightforward but with an ending that left a jar for viewers to interpret for themselves. If you are a fan of Liam Neeson, be entertained as he attempts to communicate in Spanish with the boy on their adventure.

Catch The Marksman at the cinemas from 25 February 2021! 

The Fifth Parlour would like to thank Encore Films for the invitation!