Can a manipulative prisoner break a parole officer's carefully constructed life and moral code?
In short: In the 2010 crime thriller Stone, a seasoned parole officer nearing retirement faces his final, most dangerous case. As he navigates the psychological games of a convicted arsonist, the boundary between professional duty and personal ruin begins to dissolve, leading to a haunting exploration of guilt, faith, and manipulation.
Directed by John Curran and written by Angus MacLachlan, Stone features Robert De Niro as Jack Mabry, a parole officer weeks away from retirement, and Edward Norton as Gerald Creeson, an inmate who insists on being called Stone. The film, which also stars Milla Jovovich, marks the second collaboration between De Niro and Norton following their work in the 2001 film The Score. The narrative originated as a play written by MacLachlan in 2000, receiving a single staged reading in 2003 before being adapted into a screenplay in 2005.
The plot centers on a tense psychological duel. Stone, seeking early release, attempts to manipulate Jack by targeting his troubled marriage to Madylyn. As Jack becomes entangled with Stone's wife, Lucetta, his professional judgment falters. He eventually recommends Stone for parole, despite the inmate admitting he feels no remorse for his crimes. The film culminates in a confrontation that leaves Jack, now retired, to grapple with the consequences of his actions and the ambiguity of his future.
Critical reception was mixed, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 49% approval rating and Metacritic assigning a score of 58/100. While some critics, such as Roger Ebert, praised the performances of the leads, others criticized the film for heavy-handed symbolism and excessive plot twists. Commercially, the film struggled, grossing approximately US$8,463,124, which represented only about one-third of its production budget. Despite its box-office performance, Milla Jovovich was recognized for her work, receiving the Hollywood Spotlight Award at the 14th Annual Hollywood Awards Gala.
Production of the film was notable for its location work in Washtenaw County, Michigan, including scenes at the Southern Michigan Correctional Facility and the historic Mast Farmhouse, which was burned down at the end of the shoot. The film holds the distinction of being the final release from Overture Films and served as the debut project for Mimran Schur Pictures, a company formed by David Mimran and Jordan Schur.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Stone (2010 film)
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