Watch He Was a Quiet Man
- NR
- 2006
- 1 hr 49 min
-
6.7 (23,225)
He Was a Quiet Man is a 2007 psychological drama film directed by Frank A. Cappello and starring Christian Slater, Elisha Cuthbert, and William H. Macy. The film follows the story of Bob Maconel, a man who has spent most of his life being ignored and overlooked by everyone around him. Bob works as an office drone in a generic corporation, where he's constantly bullied by his colleagues and treated poorly by his bosses. Despite his mundane existence, Bob has a dark side that he keeps hidden from the rest of the world.
Early on in the film, Bob's life takes a sudden turn when a disgruntled coworker named Ralf Coleman storms into the office with a shotgun and begins shooting everyone in sight. Bob manages to overpower Ralf and save the life of Vanessa, a pretty young woman who worked in the same office.
Vanessa is grateful to Bob for saving her life, and she begins to show him kindness and affection. Bob, who has never received this kind of attention before, becomes romantically involved with Vanessa and starts to feel like he can be more than just a nondescript office worker.
As Bob's relationship with Vanessa grows, he begins to see the world in a new light. He starts to question the behavior of his colleagues and bosses, wondering why they treat him and others so poorly. Bob decides to take matters into his own hands, and he starts to act out against those who have wronged him in the past.
Throughout the film, we see Bob's descent into darkness as he becomes more and more unhinged. He spends his days plotting revenge against his enemies, while trying to keep up appearances at work and in his relationship with Vanessa. Bob's mental state starts to deteriorate, and he becomes more violent as the film progresses.
Despite Bob's dark turn, the film maintains a certain level of humor and satire throughout. The scenes that take place in the office are relatable to anyone who has worked in a 9-to-5 job, and the over-the-top characters that populate the space provide plenty of comic relief.
Overall, He Was a Quiet Man is a thought-provoking film that examines the consequences of bullying and apathy. Christian Slater gives a standout performance as Bob Maconel, which is both nuanced and chilling. Elisha Cuthbert is also impressive as Vanessa, providing a sense of lightness and hope to the otherwise dark story.
While the film does have its flaws (namely an uneven pacing and a somewhat predictable ending), it offers a unique perspective on mental illness and isolation. He Was a Quiet Man is a film that sticks with you long after the credits roll.
He Was a Quiet Man is a 2006 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 53.