Liam Neeson has a new special set of skills in ‘THE SILENT MAN’

Liam Neeson is MARK FELT: THE MAN WHO BROUGHT DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

Liam Neeson is THE SILENT MAN. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

Courtney Howard // Film Critic

Liam Neeson experienced a second wind in his career with TAKEN. He became the ass-kicking action movie hero we all had been waiting decades for after our 80’s/90’s big-screen heroes (like Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger) vacated their positions. He gave us THE GREY, NON-STOP, WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES, THE A-TEAM, and RUN ALL NIGHT.

It would appear that with his latest, THE SILENT MAN, Neeson is finding a pleasant balance between all the stunts and spectacle, focusing on tongue-lashings instead. And judging by this seemingly ironic title, he’s not very silent at all – and that’s probably what will get him in trouble. Neeson plays Mark Felt, the real-life secret high-ranking FBI informant during the Watergate scandal who is famously known as “Deep Throat.”

Watch all the verbal fireworks go off below.

Here’s the official synopsis:

The Silent Man centers on “Deep Throat”, the pseudonym given to the notorious whistleblower for one of the greatest scandals of all time, Watergate. The true identity of the secret informant remained a mystery and source of much public curiosity and speculation for more than 30 years. That is until, in 2005, special agent Mark Felt shockingly revealed himself as the tipster. This unbelievable true story chronicles the personal and professional life of the brilliant and uncompromising Felt, who risked and ultimately sacrificed everything – his family, his career, his freedom – in the name of justice.

Not only is this story shockingly timely, there’s deeper resonance there as this provides Neeson with a good character-driven story to really dig into. It will be a refreshing change of pace for the actor.

Directed by Peter Landesman (Concussion), the film co-stars Diane Lane (Unfaithful), Marton Csokas (The Equalizer), Josh Lucas (The Lincoln Lawyer), Tony Goldwyn (“Scandal”), Michael C. Hall (“Dexter”), Tom Sizemore (“Black Hawk Down”), Wendi McLendon-Covey (Bridesmaids), Ike Barinholtz (Suicide Squad), Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek), Brian D’Arcy James (Spotlight), Kate Walsh (“Private Practice”), Noah Wyle (W.), and Maika Monroe (It Follows).

With an all star cast in place, a chilling vibe and meaty character dynamics, this is one Fall release we should all be looking forward to.

THE SILENT MAN is eyeing a September release.

Courtney Howard

Courtney Howard is a LAFCA, CCA, OFCS and AWFJ member, as well as a Rotten Tomatometer-approved film critic. Her work has been published on Variety, She Knows and Awards Circuit.