"Mercury Rising" -- A Degree of Suspense, Warmth by Homer Yen (c) 1998
Bruce Willis plays FBI agent Art Jeffries in a film about compassion and conspiracy. As a man living with a ghost and looking for redemption, his chance for penitence comes when he is called to investigate a crime involving the slain parents of Simon Lynch (Miko Hughes), an autistic child. Why were the parents killed? The audience knows that Simon's autism gives him the ability to 'see through' a newly developed government supercode called Mercury. A Mercury-encrypted message was slipped into the back of a puzzle magazine, and when Simon reads it, he calls a phone number revealed within the message. When NSA officials learn of this, they believe that Simon is a dangerous threat to national security and decides to take drastic actions. "Nothing can connect the boy to this office," says the NSA officer (Alec Baldwin). Jeffries, however, is unable to question the boy because of his condition. But when he learns that Simon's life is in jeopardy, he takes it upon himself, at great risk, to take care of Simon and try to learn why Simon is being relentlessly hunted down.
This may seem like a formulaic movie to some degree, and indeed, several elements here can be found in many other films of the same genre. For example, during his investigation, Jeffries must go into hiding as several parties make him the target of a manhunt. He has no personal or family ties which justifies his apparent willingness to go way above and beyond the call of duty. He even has a partner who is reluctant to help at first but then eventually gives in. However, there are several elements that makes this an enjoyable movie.
What I appreciated about this film was its restraint. It finds a suitable middle-ground that melds action and drama. It never went over-the-top, and took itself seriously by carefully underscoring its dramatic elements. Willis is perfectly cast as the anti-hero and ably handles the reigns of this film. He realizes that the stakes are high and that saving the boy is not some kind of cavalier stunt. His fear and frustration can be seen on his face. Despite his pug nature, he tries to do the right thing. A subtle level of suspense is maintained throughout the film. In a nicely executed sequence, both Jeffries and a hired killer are looking for Simon in the hospital where Simon is staying. Later, all 3 of them wind up in the same elevator. Our attachment to Simon is quickly developed, and we cringe when the bad guys begin to close in or when Simon decides to walk out into a middle of a busy intersection or onto the middle of the train tracks. We also feel good when we see Jeffries finally begin to make inroads into Simon's autistic world.
Mercury Rising has several moments that begs you to be 'open-minded' and not question the reasoning behind some of the actions taken. If you can make these minor sacrifices, like I did, then it offers enough to make this a satisfying movie experience.
Grade: B
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