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Billy Bob Thornton, known for his diverse roles in genre films, delivers another compelling performance in the 2010 crime thriller “Faster.” While he’s recognized for his work in blockbuster hits like “Armageddon” and “Bandits,” “Faster” stands out as an underrated gem in his filmography, co-starring Dwayne Johnson.
CBS Films
The film centers on a gripping tale of revenge. After serving time in prison, Jimmy Cullen, also known as Driver and played by Johnson, sets out on a relentless quest for vengeance. His targets are those responsible for the betrayal that led to his brother Gary’s death, portrayed by Matt Gerald. Thornton takes on the role of Detective Slade Humphries, who, along with his partner Cicero, played by Carla Gugino, is determined to track down Cullen.
Despite its modest box office earnings of $35.6 million against a $24 million budget, and a mixed critical reception—boasting a 41% rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer and a 52% audience score—”Faster” offers a gripping and intricate narrative. Thornton’s portrayal is pivotal, providing depth to a storyline that unravels with each twist. Although it may not have received widespread acclaim, “Faster” remains a hidden treasure among Thornton’s films.
Thornton himself holds the movie in high regard, likening it to the gritty, realistic films of the 1970s. In an interview with Vibe in 2010, Thornton expressed his appreciation for the film’s authenticity. “In my humble opinion, we’re living in a time where we are making the worst movies in history—because they’re geared toward the video game playing generation,” he remarked. He emphasized that “Faster” was not simply a showcase of violence; rather, it carried a profound message. Beneath its intense exterior, the film explores the consequences of murder and the dark transformations that occur within prison walls.
Billy Bob Thornton thought Faster was special in an age of bad movies
CBS Films
While “Faster” didn’t turn into the big hit of 2010 that those involved may have expected it to be, Billy Bob Thornton showered the crime thriller with the highest praise. For the “Landman” star, it was a proper throwback to ’70s movies that still hold up and put realism at the heart of it all.
“In my humble opinion, we’re living in a time where we are making the worst movies in history — because they’re geared toward the video game playing generation,” Thornton told Vibe in 2010. “And in these video games are people killing for fun.” Thornton added that “Faster” wasn’t violence for the sake of it, since there was a powerful message attached to it. Underneath the carnage and bloodshed was a “film [that] shows what murder creates and what prisons create — dark characters who are in trouble.”
While Thornton’s praise for “Faster” might be a tad excessive — this isn’t “Death Wish” — it’s certainly a film that delivers on everything it promises in the trailer. It makes no qualms about what it is and turns out to be a perfect addition to any Friday night’s entertainment plans.