Like David Mamet's previous films; Redbelt's narrative slowly exposes the well-guarded secrets of systems shrouded in mystique and conspiracy; this time at martial-arts academies and on Hollywood film and television sets. Reminiscent of Rocky; Redbelt is an unapologetically moralistic tale of an impoverished; inner city Jiu Jitsu instructor whose idealism is an affront to those who seek to sink him. Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor); unknowingly affiliated with the wealthy Brazilian family who rigs televised MMA matches; naively rescues actor Chet Frank (Tim Allen) from being mutilated in a bar brawl; but isn't able to link Frank's sketchy relations until Terry's life is endangered. Fated to assist Terry is attorney Laura Black (Emily Mortimer); who conveniently stumbles into Terry's Jiu Jitsu academy early in the film's opening. With an impossibly mandarin plot; Redbelt is packed with improbable coincidences and confusing; maze-like dead-ends; but the sheer brainpower required to sleuth along keeps one riveted throughout. Plus; it is hard not to be thrilled by ample; accurately enacted Jiu Jitsu fight scenes. Mamet's actors deliver deadpan; poker-faced dialogue to comedic effect; especially Ricky Jay; who plays an MMA star's corrupt manager. Allen; also; is surprisingly suited to portraying an untouchable; overly serious Hollywood film star. Even Redbelt's subplots revolve around fighting: while Frank shoots a war film; Terry hashes it out with his wife who urges him to earn some cash. In the end; one wonders if Terry's uphill struggle isn't representative of the director's attempt to sift through convoluted narrative threads for an archetypal hero legend that is sparklingly simple. --Trinie Dalton