A Crooked Somebody

Loved that line.

This film is about Michael Vaughan, a self-proclaimed psychic, who is searching for fame and fortune. He, in reality, has no ability but he has picked up a few tricks that help bolster his ruse with the desperate people who are hoping to reach their loved ones through the abilities he claims to have. He finds himself in a sticky situation when he is kidnapped by a man who struggles with guilt stemming from a girl being left an orphan after he killed her father. When Michael learns the identity of the girl, he realizes that case had been one that garnered nationwide coverage many years ago. He thinks he can use this situation to help himself reach fame and fortune and begins manipulating the situation. However, his father has tried to warn him that it is better to be a straight nobody than a crooked somebody.

I liked this film. It was decent as far a lower budgeted films go. The story was interesting and the actors did a good job with their characters. It would've probably been much better had there been more depth to the story. I'm glad I came across it.

Greetings again from the darkness. The lust for fame is really just a plea for acceptance. In director Trevor White's film, the lead character, Michael Vaughn, wreaks of desperation for acceptance ... from the public, from his associate, and mostly from his Pastor-Dad. Unfortunately, the path Vaughn chooses is simply the first of many bad decisions. In fact, the film is really a chronicle of the downward spiral of Michael Vaughn's bad decisions.

Rich Sommer (Harry Crane in "Mad Men") plays Michael Vaughn, a psychic who tours the country peddling his book and his "act". And yes, it's an act. It's such an act, that it could be considered a scam. However, Michael focuses on connecting the living with their beloved dead ones, so his (sparse) audience is filled with those who want to believe he is legitimate. His assistant-associate-accomplice-would be and one time lover is played by Joanne Froggatt. Her job is to prevent Michael from becoming despondent over the lack of book sales, and also to be his audience-plant when a session gets stalled.

The bulk of the story revolves around Nathan (Clifton Collins, Jr), a man who believes Vaughn has connected to a man Nathan killed. In trying to clear his conscience, Nathan wants Vaughn to use his talents to help Stacy (Amanda Crew), the now-grown daughter of the man Nathan killed. Instead of focusing on "helping" those involved, Vaughn seizes the opportunity to put himself in the spotlight ... gaining notoriety as the psychic who helped solve a long-ago murder case. And no, this isn't the final bad decision Vaughn makes. He manages to make things much worse.

Real life married couple Ed Harris and Amy Madigan play Vaughn's parents - the one's he so wants to win respect from. The script from writer Andrew Zilch offers some pretty decent on screen tension, though it strains a bit too much in places - even with a worthy and relatable central idea. It's human nature to desire acceptance (especially from loved ones) ... though it takes a flawed personality to strive for fame and celebrity (especially at the cost of core values). Here's hoping you don't see too much of yourself in Michael Vaughn.

How far would someone go to pursue their dreams. Nice story and well built, keeps you entertained to the end swiftly, recommended.

About halfway through it started to grip, and it never let go. Anchored by excellent performances, this little gem delivered. Good soundtrack, good direction and a very good story.

This one will keep you hooked. There are no good guys and bad guys just people making the wrong decisions and trying to fake an angle. Well worth watching for the story.