10 Questions about A Working Man

What is A Working Man?   

A man with a job. Alternatively, it’s a new film from director David Ayer, co-written by Ayer and Sylvester Stallone, and starring Jason Statham, along with Michael Peña, David Harbour, and Arianna Rivas. The film is based on the Chuck Dixon book, Levon’s Trade, and it reunites Ayer and Statham following the success of their apiarist film, The Beekeeper. 

What is A Working Man about?

Statham stars as Levon Cade, a retired soldier working as a construction foreman. Levon lives in his truck, barely gets to see his daughter, and despite obviously trying to Leave His Past Behind, he can’t stop solving problems with his big meaty fists. When his boss’s daughter is kidnapped, Levon sets off to rescue her, a one-man wrecking crew taking on and taking down an entire criminal element, with an assist from his blind buddy

So it’s like Taken but with Jack Reacher?

It’s not NOT like Taken but with Jack Reacher.

Where is A Working Man set?

It is set in a version of Chicago that looks exactly like London. 

Do they say the title of the film in the film itself?

Of course they do, what do you even think we’re doing here? Specifically, Levon Cade isn’t JUST a working man. He’s a dangerous man with big meaty fists! 

You seem kind of fixated on his fists.

Big meaty fists

Right. Anyway, how’s the action in this movie?

Not as clever as The Beekeeper, I have to say. Hard to top flammable honey, but A Working Man doesn’t really try. Jason Statham can do this kind of film in his sleep, and at times, it does seem like he’s sleepwalking through it. A case can be made that Statham is at his best when the film around him is absurd, because then he can kind of twinkle to the audience that he knows it’s dumb, but the silliness lets him and the audience have fun, too. A Working Man isn’t very fun. There are a couple of standout sequences, and David Harbour provides a much-needed spark, but overall, it’s a bit dour for an action film. 

Oh no. Does Jason Statham at least make it watchable?

Jason Statham is always watchable when he’s defeating evil with his big meaty fists.

Okay, what’s with the fists?

Cade Levon’s thing is that he can turn anything into a weapon, so he’s constantly picking stuff up with his big meaty fists and bashing people over the head with them. 

That sounds kind of fun, though. Should people see A Working Man even if it isn’t a cinematic masterpiece?

It is kind of fun, emphasis on “kind of”. Die hard Statham devotees might like it, but most people would be better off just watching The Beekeeper or The Meg or Crank or The Transporter or even Jack Reacher. 

Who do you think would win in a fight, a Jason Statham character or Jack Reacher?

Wolves and orcas do not fight, they are allies against the shark. 

Wolves and sharks don’t really cross paths.

You asked.

A Working Man is now playing exclusively in theaters.