In the Land of Saints and Sinners

Both the subject matter and the setting enable the vigilante thriller In the Land of Saints and Sinners to fit Liam Neeson’s comfort zone.

Indeed, the star seems at home in his gravelly native brogue, bringing nuance and complexity to a broken and grieving hitman seeking a fresh start in a coastal village in western Ireland.

It’s a variation on characters we’ve seen him play before. And despite some evocative visual details, the film likewise feels more familiar than fresh in unspooling a saga of revenge and redemption overwhelmed by cliches and contrivances.

The story is set in the near past, against a backdrop of rampant brutality stemming from the ever-present Troubles. Neeson plays Finbar, a Donegal widower who carries out killings for a local crime boss (Colm Meaney).

“There’s more to me than this,” Finbar laments. “I’d like people to see it.” After all, his best friend is the local police chief (Ciaran Hinds), who’s either unaware or turns a blind eye to Finbar’s misdeeds while enjoying laughs at the local pub.

Just as he’s trying to get out, however, circumstances drag him back in, as he gets crossed up with a scoundrel (Desmond Eastwood) he suspects of abusing his wife and young daughter. Worse yet, his ill-tempered sister (Kerry Condon) heads up a renegade IRA group with anger and resources to spare.

Finbar is burdened with guilt and regret, as reflected in some contemplative glances and soul-searching reflections. Those quieter moments occasionally strike a chord, such as his delight in loading and cocking his favorite rifle.

Still, it’s difficult to completely sympathize with a man who willingly carries out such violence, regardless of motives or allegiances.

As directed by Robert Lorenz (Trouble with the Curve), the film immerses us in its time and place, benefiting from generous shots of the lush rural landscapes.

The latter portion of the screenplay by Mark Michael McNally and Terry Loane bogs down in some predictable plotting while it struggles to elevate the suspense or emotional stakes.

As it funnels toward an obligatory final showdown, In the Land of Saints and Sinners suggest the same moral ambiguity as its characters, yet it’s unlikely moviegoers will oblige.

Rated R, 106 minutes.