The Bricklayer

 

The Bricklayer (2023)

A Prototypical Spy Film Hampered by Circumstance

★★☆☆☆

A clunky, half-baked actioner that manages to find a few sparks in its fight choreography.

Directed by veteran filmmaker Renny Harlin, The Bricklayer feels like a project compromised by circumstances beyond its control. Starring Aaron Eckhart as a retired CIA operative forced back into the fold, the film suffers from clunky dialogue and a screenplay that desperately needed another polish. While Harlin still possesses the ability to shoot an entertaining action sequence, the overall production feels rushed, resulting in a narrative that is often incoherent and lacking in believability.

"Critics can obviously dismiss the film as something that probably shouldn't exist. But I think films like this have a place... they provide jobs and help other projects be developed by learning from mistakes."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Renny Harlin
• Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Nina Dobrev
• Supporting: Clifton Collins Jr., Tim Blake Nelson
• Source Material: Paul Lindsay (Novel)

The Vision

Renny Harlin, the man behind Die Hard 2 and Cliffhanger, attempts to bring an old-school grit to this modern spy tale. Unfortunately, the vision is let down by a budget and schedule that seem insufficient for the scale of the stunts and casting required. Aaron Eckhart gives his best effort, but the pairing with Nina Dobrev—who feels unfortunately miscast—struggles to find the necessary chemistry to elevate the half-baked plot. It’s a film for an audience with low expectations and high tolerance for generic tropes.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Harlin’s Return: This film marks one of several recent collaborations between Renny Harlin and the Greek/Bulgarian production hubs, where many modern mid-budget actioners are now filmed to maximize resources.
• Literary Roots: The film is based on the 2010 novel by Noah Boyd (a pseudonym for former FBI agent Paul Lindsay), which was highly praised for its technical accuracy—much of which was unfortunately lost in translation here.
• Eckhart’s Prep: Aaron Eckhart actually trained in basic masonry and bricklaying to add a layer of physical authenticity to his character's "retired" life.

✅ Pros

• Renny Harlin still knows how to frame a solid fight sequence.
• Aaron Eckhart provides a committed, professional lead performance.
• A functional "comfort food" watch for die-hard action completists.

❌ Cons

• Clunky dialogue and a largely incoherent, half-baked screenplay.
• Nina Dobrev feels miscast in her role as a junior agent.
• 明显 (Obvious) budget constraints affecting the overall polish.

🏆 Final Verdict

Mediocrity personified. While it serves a purpose in the Hollywood ecosystem of keeping crews employed, The Bricklayer is a tough recommendation for anyone seeking a sharp or memorable spy thriller.

View original review on Letterboxd