5lbs of Pressure

I dont mind watching B-movies, I watch them a lot actually, but this is a B-movie which pretends to be a serious crime drama and that didnt sit well with me.

The bad: average actors, lacking in charisma and talent, try to act seriously, while their performances constantly made me cringe by their lack of quality. You know that kind of feeling when the acting just doesnt look true to life and kinda fake? Well that's the feeling I got when watching these actors who all failed to impress me.

Labeled as a romance as well? Are they kiddin'? And it for sure as heck aint thrilling for a second. It is a crime story all right, but much more geared towards a personal portrait of criminals than towards a riveting thriller though. So beware all you fans of crime thrillers, this is probably not the movie you expect it to be.

Not any good then? Well, the "best" actor we get to see is Rory Culkin, but he never was a great actor to begin with and that qualification sums up this entire movie, which is not terrible, but quite average and lacking in everything you would wish for in a crime thriller.

First, Luke Evens is absolutely great as a father and ex-lover looking for another chance!

I understand the low ratings are probably from people who are not interested in human nature, what makes people do the things they do and how hard and tricky life can be but this movie kept me on edge the whole time as I was awaiting what directions the characters will take and where will that end them up because I could understand their struggles. I think all the plots were meaningful and the actors were good, especially Luke Evans.

Based on current ratings it looks like it's not for everyone but I enjoyed this movie quite a lot and recommend it to people who like drama movies.

Based on director Phil Allocco's own short movie from 2005, The Mirror.

5lbs of Pressure sinks under its own weight of unoriginality and a banal script.

Adam (Luke Evans) is out on parole after serving time for killing a youth. He has returned to his own neighbourhood to connect with his estranged wife and teenage son.

His parole officer is not happy about this especially as Adam has also got a job as a bartender at the Mirror Bar. It's a recipe for disaster and Adam will violate his parole conditions.

Eli is the brother of the youth that Adam killed 16 years earlier. When he learns that Adam is back, hr wrestles with his conscience as to whether to seek revenge.

Mike (Rory Culkin) is a dim young man living under the shadow of his drug dealing uncle Leff (Alex Pettyfer.) He has looked out for Mike since his mum died.

Now Mike wants to break out on his own and score a solo drug deal. Not realising that he is too naive and idiotic.

Mike also recognised Adam as a killer. He also has an idea to rob the Mirror Bar and pin the blame on Adam.

You just know these characters will collide one night. Cheaply made with the city of Manchester standing in for New York. It's not gritty or even that interesting.

This kind of film has been done scores of time before and mostly better.

Initially looking like another redemption story, and other secondary characters crossing paths. Possibly even hinting some upcoming action scene Unfortunately nothing happened. Almost 2 hours of characters struggling to tell their stories and how they want to get far from their demons, but as time passes by you start feeling it's goin to be a fraud. And it's exactly that. Could have skipped majority of the 2nd hour and just leave the last 5 minutes and would have been the same. Or even better as you would get one hour back. Acting is sort of ok but it's a shame they could not be used in a better way.

5lb of Pressure is captivating and draws you in slowly and brings it all together with deep character driven performances. You easily find yourself rooting for everyone to find their place.

Shot beautifully in tones that remind you of a past time of black & white or sepia, but the true colors of the grit of the 'any neighborhood' we all can remember shines through. It's so nostalgic of a Brooklyn I remember well, yet the neighborhood was not so recognizable. It kept me entranced and looking for a familiar place because the story was so real. Thank you Phil Allocco and your crew for your wonderful story and film.