I remember seeing the trailer and feeling potential, then the average or even below ratings came, others called them out and stated the movie's underrated, and, well, eventually I went in with one eyebrow raised high. The director Jacob Estes is guilty of making a movie that hit me hard when I was little, the 2004's "Mean Creek" - seen it a few times and that definitely made me a little more excited for "Don't Let Go". Well, the verdict - flawed and unfocused movie, but not exactly a disappointing experience.
"Don't Let Go" has a lot going on, a time travel plot, a whodunit (and why) mystery & the part that, in my opinion, worked the best - the central relationship between the detective Jack Radcliff (David Oyelowo) and his niece Ashley (Storm Reid), one of the movies main driving forces. The script is somehow both the best and worst thing about "Don't Let Go", it offers exciting themes, heartfelt relationships (helped a LOT by the very fine and devoted performances by the whole cast) & an uneven pacing. The themes of time travel and the many mysteries in need of solutions take turns slowly and sometimes weirdly, maybe even silly, resulting in a plot which, when taken as a whole, can be described as overly convoluted or lost in itself. Given the subject matter, "Don't Let Go" should be more thrilling, engaging and head-strong, but from the many goals Jacob Estes had pinned down only half was reached. Visually "Don't Let Go" is satisfying enough without impressing much, when it comes to action or violence, I can't say it shies away either, but, again, don't expect to be blown away by the movies aesthetic.
"Don't Let Go" is too much of a head-scratcher, strives for eventual coherency but partially misses it. Nevertheless, it has quite enough to offer & the ending has the potential of warming your heart up a bit and muddle some of its flaws in retrospect. If You can believe me, I think that neither the 4's or 8's are to be listened to here. My rating: 6/10.
