Firewall, an action-packed thriller with a technological edge, opens in theaters across the country today and will have viewers double-checking their bank statements Monday.
Harrison Ford is back and ready to bring audiences a taste of the danger and action they have come to expect from the veteran actor. Ford said his recent absence from the big screen was not intentional.
“It took a long time to bring [Firewall] to the screen,” Ford said. “We lost our first director due to a tragedy in the family.”
Ford takes the lead as Jack Stanfield, a highly ranked banker responsible for the creation of the anti-theft computer system for his Seattle-based bank — and someone knows it. Bill Cox, played with cold efficiency by Paul Bettany, has tapped into Stanfield’s life and his family’s as well.
Cox tries to force Stanfield to steal $100 million from his own bank, using his family as leverage by holding them hostage. Ultimately, it’s this threat that drives Stanfield to challenge Cox. The plot may sound familiar, but Ford said the film offers a new twist on a classic storyline.
Stanfield turns into an adrenaline-driven action hero fighting for his family — a part that American icon Ford perfectly executes. It took Ford a little bit of extra work to get into his character, who is more familiar with a computer than weapons. Lawrence T. Levine, a banking security specialist, was brought on the set to make technical aspects of the film realistic. Ford also did additional research of his own.
“Whenever I play a character, I research all of my roles,” Ford said. “I met with a number of bank professionals to get a keener idea of just what it is they do.”
The other actors were also having first-time experiences as well. Paul Bettany, who acted most recently in Wimbledon alongside Kirsten Dunst, played his first major villain role. He chose to play this psychotic character with the utmost restraint and chilling calmness.
“The less of a James Bond villain it is the better,” Bettany said. “If I was sitting there stroking a cat with a scar on my face, it would alienate the audience.”
Virginia Madsen, who plays Jack Stanfield’s wife, Beth, also experienced a first during the filming of Firewall. Madsen’s previous roles have not required many physical challenges, but she enjoyed the chance to try her hand in the action.
One of the most compelling aspects of the film is the attack upon a relevant fear of today’s American society — just how safe are we?
Tapping into this fear of losing privacy and security was exactly what inspired screenwriter Joe Forte did. As the battle between Cox and Stanfield escalates throughout the film, this theme consistently reemerges, leaving the individual with intense questions about the security of his or her own life. The chemistry between Ford and Bettany further heightens the tension and intensifies the audience’s feelings of vulnerability.
Admittedly, one of the deciding factors for Bettany in taking the role was the opportunity to work with such an esteemed actor. The sheer intensity that the pair brings to the screen was not apparent in their relationship off-camera.
“Harrison and I spent most of the time on the set laughing,” Bettany said.
Despite the time-consuming character development and carefully rehearsed action scenes the film required, the ensemble developed a great camaraderie.
“We were all great friends; we laughed a great deal,” Bettany said.
Those with money in the bank will probably not be laughing, but hanging on to their checkbooks as Firewall fuels their fears.
