Biggest Changes ‘The Bricklayer’ Movie Makes To The Book
SPOILERS AHEAD!
Aaron Eckhart takes the lead in the action-packed thriller, ‘The Bricklayer,’ based on Noah Boyd’s book from 2010. Portraying Steve Vail, a former CIA agent reminiscent of Jack Reacher, Eckhart’s performance shines despite mixed reviews.
The film, though deviating from the source material with added plot twists and altered endings, manages to stay faithful to the essence of Boyd’s novel. Despite its flaws, ‘The Bricklayer’ finds unexpected success post-theatrical release, experiencing a resurgence on Netflix, thanks to its talented cast and thrilling action sequences.
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Here are the biggest changes ‘The Bricklayer’ movie makes to the book.
Kate Bannon Kills Tye Dyson
In ‘The Bricklayer’ movie, Tye is a CIA informant who collaborates with Radek. She plans to leave the CIA with Vail but is blackmailed by Radek. When Vail confronts Tye about her involvement, she tries to kill him, leading to her death by Kate’s hand. However, the book presents a different backstory.
In the novel, Radek threatens Tye to assist him in insider trading, using her boyfriend Vashon’s life as leverage. Tye’s deep involvement in Radek’s crimes leads to her suicide when Vail discovers the truth. The movie and novel diverge on these crucial points.
The Extortion Story is Different
In ‘The Bricklayer’ movie, the core plot revolves around extortion. While it stays faithful to this storyline, the film takes some creative liberties in its execution. In the adaptation, Victor Radek threatens the CIA by exposing their involvement in toppling foreign governments unless they pay him $100 million in Bitcoin to keep it quiet.
The major change lies in Radek’s motive for blackmailing the agency; in the movie, it’s driven by a desire to avenge his family, whereas in the novel, it stems from his hatred for the FBI. Moreover, the film amplifies the stakes by increasing the demanded amount significantly compared to the novel’s $5 million.
Changes to Steve Vail And Kate’s Relationship
In ‘The Bricklayer,’ Kate and Vail start on the wrong foot, each seeing the other as difficult to work with. Kate finds Vail hard to control, while Vail sees Kate as inexperienced. However, as they spend more time together, they develop a student-teacher bond. Surprisingly, Kate becomes Vail’s strongest supporter, suggesting to her boss that Vail should join their team to catch the Pentam.
Their relationship takes a romantic turn, going on two dates before realizing romance might not be their thing. Despite this, they ultimately end up together by the novel’s end.
The Rubaco Pentad Was Absent in the Movie
One significant change in the movie from the book is the absence of the Pentad, a criminal organization led by Victor Radek. In the novel, the Pentad blackmailed the FBI, threatening to kill journalists unless they were paid.
Despite their pivotal role in the book’s plot, the Pentad doesn’t appear in the movie adaptation. Their absence alters the storyline, as they are central to the tension and intrigue in the original novel.
Tye Delson Was The Head Of Station For The CIA
In ‘The Bricklayer’ movie, a significant change occurs with the character Tye Delson compared to the book. In the film, Tye is portrayed as the CIA station chief and has a romantic history with Vail, which ended when she didn’t leave with him as planned.
However, in the novel, Tye is depicted as the Los Angeles Assistant United States Attorney, playing a vital role by providing search warrants for Vail’s investigation of Radek. Despite her interest in Vail, their relationship remains professional, with Vail rejecting any romantic involvement. In the book, they are colleagues who share mutual respect, without any romantic entanglements.
