Viola Davis, Jennifer Lopez
“LILA & EVE” My rating: C+ (Opens July 17 at the Cinetopia)
94 minutes | MPAA rating: R
“Lila & Eve” starts strong by depicting the downward spiral of Lila (Viola Davis), the divorced mother of two boys whose college-bound son is gunned down in a random act of street violence.
It becomes a revenge yarn when Lila meets up with another bereaved mom, Eve (Jennifer Lopez), who goads her to take violent action against the thugs who put her through all this misery.
It’s like a feminist “Death Wish.”
Before it’s over, “Lila & Eve” has morphed into something right out of M. Night Shyamalan territory (not that the film’s big reveal will surprise anyone — I saw it coming practically from square one).
Given that Davis is one of our best actresses — and that Lopez isn’t bad in the right role — “Lila and Eve” does have some strong moments.
The best material comes early in the film. Seeking answers, Lila attends grief support meetings, only to find that in her case the bland homilies so freely dished generate more rage than comfort.
When Davis confides that “This goes way past any pain I’ve ever felt or experienced,” you believe her.
And even after their rampage has begun, Lila is capable of remorse and compassion. While Eve gloats over their killing of a low-level drug thug, Lila mourns: “He’s somebody’s child”
Bottom line: “Lila & Eve” is an only-partly successful melding of genuine insights into mourning and high-concept cinema cheese. Go for Davis’ performance.
| Robert W. Butler
Butler's Cinema Scene 
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