By A. L. "Toni" Anderson

Freedomland (2006) opened in theaters this weekend. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, who first captured our attention as "Gator" in the 1991 film Jungle Fever. He has come a long way since those days, having developed immensely as an actor. That development is evident here. The previews of the movie looked exciting and action-packed, and if you are looking for action-packed excitement, the movie will not disappoint.

The film is directed by Joe Roth, and is adapted from a novel by Richard Price (author of Clockers). It tells a gripping tale of a missing 4-year-old boy (Marlon Sherman), whose mother claims to be a recovering drug addict. Julianne Moore (whose role here is oddly reminiscent of her role in The Forgotten), plays the boy's bedraggled mother, Brenda Martin, who seems inordinately disturbed from the moment she appears onscreen.

The account takes place in Armstrong Housing, territory of 22-year veteran Detective Lorenzo Council (Jackson) and his partner, Bobby Boyle (William Forsythe of Blue Streak). The mostly-Black housing project abuts a densely wooded area, which in turn abuts the suburban city of mostly-White Gannon. This geography precipitates a charged relationship between the project residents and the Gannon P.D. In a strange twist of fate, we learn that Brenda's brother, Danny Martin (Ron Eldard of T.V.'s Blind Justice), is a member of the Gannon P.D.

Several mini-dramas are played out within the larger drama. There is the relationship between Lorenzo and his incarcerated son, Jason (Dorian Missick of The Manchurian Candidate). There is the disintegrated family dynamic between Brenda and brother Danny. There is the oddly maternalistic union between Felicia (Aunjanue Ellis of Ray) and boyfriend Billy (Anthony Mackie of Million Dollar Baby), whose character emerges from the shadows to play a key role in the overall scheme.

Another dimension is added by the appearance of "Friends of Kent," an organization specializing in tracking missing children. The Friends' intense leader is Karen (Edie Falco of The Sopranos). Her assistant, Marie, is portrayed by LaTanya Richardson Jackson of The Fighting Temptations, a notable actress in her own right and wife of Samuel L. (Other films where the Jacksons have appeared together are 1992's Juice and 1995's Losing Isaiah.)

The search for Cody leads Detective Council and the Friends of Kent to Freedomland Village (which gives the film its name), a long-abandoned home for orphans, the "unprecious and unloved." It is during the search of the surrounding brush that we learn Karen's motivation and her purpose. Perhaps Brenda's motivation and purpose never become quite clear.

The exciting and inevitable climax, which is nearly averted by Lorenzo's valiant efforts, comes about as a result of barely concealed long-standing racial tension. It is part and parcel of the climate that gives birth to the Susan Smiths and Charles Stuarts of the real world, clearly Brenda's role models.

The conclusion is not surprising; hints are dropped like breadcrumbs. The expected violence is sometimes sickening, and many of the characters are stock.. Still, the light plot twists and the rare humanity of Jackson's character make Freedomland a worthwhile film.


More reviews from A. L. "Toni" Anderson's "My Take on the Movies" can be found on her blog at www.mytakeonthemovies.blogspot.com