Pressure

Pressure is something of a paradox. It plays like an above-average TV movie, but at times does better than standard hollywood fare in avoiding plot cliches and explosion-driven narratives.

Kerr Smith, probably familiar from Dawson's Creek, is pretty likeable as the young man caught up in a series of freak mishaps which leave him hunted by the local police for a crime he didn't commit. There are some dodgy moments (The old camera spinning round the head as he tries to stay sane moment leaps to mind) but overall it's undemanding and he does fine. The supporting cast does fine, Lochlyn Munro is best as his unbelievably loyal friend (You're the subject of a statewide manhunt and waving a gun around while covered in blood? Let's go!) and the sheriff is suitably psychotic. That's the main character problem with the film - some of the characters are just so damn nasty it makes them somewhat unbelievable.

The narrative is the film's strong point, although it tails off a bit in the second half. The way that things fall apart in the first place is suitably plausible and it's a shame that the same inventiveness couldn't continue through the whole script. Things stay pretty tense though, and really the only complaint is that it ends a bit easily and perhaps should have been drawn out a bit longer - hardly the worst criticism of a film.

So overall - not a bad way to kill 90 minutes on a sunday afternoon.

In a nutshell, Kerr Smith (as Steve Hillman) is accused of shooting the genitals off deputy Adrian Dorval (as Bo Cooper), after necking with the cop's abused girlfriend Angela Featherstone (as Amber). Accused ball-buster Smith, a young medical student, flees with party-minded pal Lochlyn Munro (as Patrick Fisher) from a stupid Oregon police force led by deputy Dorval's dad, Donnelly Rhodes. The corrupt chief of police wants revenge because son Dorval will not be able to reproduce without functioning genitalia. Director Richard Gale and editor Garry M.B. Smith make it look like "Pressure" amounts to something, and it's fun watching crusty Sheriff Rhodes in hot pursuit - but, the sophomoric story is dumber than it looks.

**** Pressure (2/20/02) Richard Gale ~ Kerr Smith, Lochlyn Munro, Donnelly Rhodes, Angela Featherstone

Stars Kerr Smith, Lochlyn Munro, Angela Featherstone, Michelle Harrison, Adrien Dorval, Donnelly Rhodes, David Neale, John B.Destry Even if the brewskie is yelling your name from inside, don't enter desolate small-town bars – just one of the many messages Director Richard Gale is trying to convey through Indy thriller `Pressure'. A crossbreed permutation of polished road thriller and Richard Kimble intrigues, `Pressure' tells the tale of two med students, Steve (Kerr Smith) and Patrick (Lochlyn Munro), who discard the aforementioned advice, and on the way back to the land of the living, decide to stop off at an uninhabited bar. Realising that a cheerleading convention is in full swing, it looks like the boy's night at the bar will be a memorable one – until Amber (Angela Featherstone) decides to chat up the ostensibly ‘unavailable' Steve. Tempted into a possible one-night fling with the mystery woman, Steve follows her outside. But just as soon as he falls back on his offer to play around with her, the woman's unforseen associate hits him from behind. Seems she and Bo Cooper (Adrien Dorval) have set-up their latest prey. When Bo inadvertently shots himself in his ‘manhood', Steve panics, especially when he hears the man identified on his radio as a ‘Cop'. Knowing exactly what will happen to him if he is found in the obdurate situation, Steve darts back to the bar – grabs Patrick and they hit the road in a never-ending chase. Within hours, the state's police squad – lead by the corrupt, relentless Sheriff Cooper, also the shot man's father- and the FBI have imprinted the hunt one of the biggest of the times. With routes blocked right, left and centre, Steve must harden up and outmanoeuvre his indomitable antagonist, ultimately getting himself out of the mess. Though conventional, `Pressure' is a solid thriller, with some great performances, slick camera-work, tense music score and exceptional use of locale. Gale delivers a movie that doesn't let up for a minute, barely missing a beat over its 90 minutes. Kerr Smith proves he is more than one of Dawson's Creek's teeny cronies, turning in a forceful, notable performance as the innocent on the run. Lochlyn Munro (Scary Movie) adds weighty support as his friend and fellow target, Patrick. Where `Pressure' scores its points chiefly is in the production. This slick, impressive-looking thriller was shot in just 19 days. And for a film shot in that time, with little to no budget or fanfare, this is an enthralling crackerjack thriller proving good things come in small packages.

This 2002 thriller was directed by Richard Gale. It's his second film and shows that he has a terrific talent in starting out as a director. He also co-wrote the screenplay and shared camera operation as well. He chose great locations that suited the theme of this tale. I really liked the bar location, outside and inside, and the bridge. He captured the mood. The fact that he did the shoot of this film in 16 days is a tribute to how well he knows his stuff. Can you imagine what he can do with a bigger budget and more time? Go for it, Richard. If there's one picky thing I want to touch on, it's the easy way our hero was led astray by our leading lady, played wonderfully by Angela Featherstone. Like, that he gives in to her after making such a fuss to his friend about not staying. Oh, well guess there wouldn't be any plot if he nixed her invitation. Our hero, played by Kerr Smith, one of my favorite actors, since he first came to my attention in DAWSON'S CREEK, gave an honest and realistic performance as a guy who becomes the victim of events. Smith gives an underplayed performance which I felt fit in this sordid tale. A lot of Montgomery Clift style to his work. How about a film on Clift's life? It was hard to take him at times when he just stood and watched the action going on around him. But, that's the script. Example when his friend races across the bridge screaming at the top of his lungs to fall down. When he sees someone taking aim at him. Poor Kerr just stands there looking at his friend. Oh, well, getting picky. As the friend, Lochlyn Munro was perfectly cast and did an amazing job playing second fiddle to Smith. They balanced each other in the right way. Maybe star them in remake of An American Werewolf In London? Munro had the right charm and nonsense particularly in the bar with his gang of cheerleader companions. He stole the scene. Then he turns around and gives the right amount of sensitivity in the more serious scenes. Adrien Darval plays the heavy in this and he convinced me. Reminded me a lot of Albert Salamni. He was brutally real and convincing. Veteran actor Donnelly Rhodes also plays an unlikable character as the Sheriff of this back woods country. He's thorough in his interpretation and adds the drama needed to take this seriously. Michaelle Harrison as the girl he left behind, showed quite a lot of chutzpa in her few scenes. She held her own with all the craziness going on around her. You believed her. And a special mention for the sensitive performance of the Deputy played by David Neale. They say part of the director's job is choosing his cast. He chose well in this film. Each and every actor did well and made this small budget film into a major successful work of art. Thanks, guys, you were terrific. Oh hell, I'm giving this a 10. And I'm getting the DVD too.

1st watched 3/15/2003 - 8 out of 10(Dir-Richard Gale): Very well done and suspenseful `man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time' movie. This movie surprised me because it doesn't have any big-name stars, it's one of those movies that you're scared to rent because of it's position in the video stores it has loser written all over it partly because of a subplot involving cheerleaders, but guess what!! This was far from a loser. I'm very surprised that this movie with it's keen writing, superb direction, good acting, and suspense til the end plot, didn't get much attention from anyone in Hollywood it seems. It was made in Canada and pretty quickly was put on video. This is why I like to watch movies, because every once in a while I get surprised. I will look forward to more films by Richard Gale and maybe even recognize Kerr Smith in another role in the future. Way to go, group!! There was tongue-in-cheek humor, action, great pounding music and even a good-guy wins ending.