In Redbelt (written and directed by David Mamet), Chiwetel Ejiofor (American Gangster, Talk to Me) stars as Mike Terry, a Jiu-Jitsu teacher who is just scraping by as he tries to live his life by the samurai code that 'competition diminishes the fighter.' But when lawyer Laura 
Black (Emily Mortimer) steps into his studio one rainy night and accidentally breaks his window with his police officer student's gun, she sets off a series of events that will challenge his code of ethics and drag him into the seedy world of professional fighting, whether he likes it or not.
Although dedicated Mamet fans will recognize many of his usual familiar faces (wife Rebecca Pidgeon, Joe Mantegna, etc.), Redbelt is anything but standard Mamet fare. While the characters may do some of signature Mamet backstabbing and reversals, his usual clipped, curse-filled dialogue is replaced by amazing fight sequences and the remarkably talented Ejiofor's graceful depiction of an ultimately noble lead character with a lot of heart who is as strong inside as he is outside. If you're in the market for Glengarry Glen Ross II, wait for the next one. But I not only liked it, it actually made me debate taking up Jiu-Jitsu for myself.
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