<P> Law Abiding Citizen is a 2009 American crime thriller film directed by F. Gary Gray from a screenplay written by Kurt Wimmer and stars Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx . The film takes place in Philadelphia and tells the story of a man driven to seek justice while targeting not only his family's killer but also those who have supported a corrupt criminal justice system, intending to assassinate anyone supporting the system . Law Abiding Citizen was released theatrically in North America on October 16, 2009 . </P> <P> The film was nominated for a Saturn Award as the Best Action / Adventure / Thriller Film of the year, but lost to Inglourious Basterds . The film also garnered NAACP Image Awards nominations for both Jamie Foxx (Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture) and F. Gary Gray (Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture). </P> <P> In a home invasion, Clarence Darby kills the wife and daughter of Clyde Shelton . Prosecuting Attorney Nick Rice is unable to securely convict Darby . Unwilling to take a chance on lowering his high conviction rate, he makes a deal with Darby, who pleads guilty to a lesser charge and receives a reduced sentence for testifying against his accomplice, Rupert Ames . Ames is convicted and sentenced to death . Darby is released after a few years . Clyde feels betrayed by Rice's actions and the justice system . </P> <P> Ten years later, Ames is executed . Unknown to the prosecutors and witnesses, the drug usually used has been replaced with an anticonvulsant, causing Ames to die painfully . Evidence implicates Darby . An anonymous caller alerts Darby as the police draw near and directs him to a remote location . Clyde, disguised as a police officer, reveals himself as the caller and paralyzes Darby with poison . He straps Darby to a table and videorecords dismembering him . When Darby's remains are found, evidence ties his death to Clyde . Clyde willingly surrenders and goes to prison . </P>

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