You Can't Run Forever

If it wasn't for J. K. Simmons, this film wouldn't have been made. But thanks to nepotism (the director is Simmons' real life wife), we can now enjoy this fine product and lament almost two hours of our lives we won't get back.

At times competently shot, YOU CAN'T RUN FOREVER is a nice borefest of a "thriller" that manages to let you down quite quickly. Starting off mildly intriguing, it loses its grip fast, never to pick it up again. The characters are stupid, infuriatingly so at times, the drama forced and the execution lackluster. In fact, writing and directing go pretty much hand in hand.

And the title seems quite fitting once you see (now elderly) J. K. Simmons running through the woods, as he certainly can't run forever. Oh my.

If you value your time, skip this one. It's nothing but a pretty incompetently told, uninteresting story made by a not-so-talented director who happens to be married to J. J. Jameson's only worthy incarnation.

I'm not a professional. I didn't go to movie school. I didn't get a degree in script writing. But I can tell this movie is absolutely terrible, and it amazes me that it managed to get made in the first place. How... HOW? If you gave me this script to read I would tell you 100 things wrong with it ... and that's from me, someone with absolutely zero experience in movie making, so how do these so called professionals manage to mess it up so badly. How can they not see how bad it is on paper, how bad the story is, how bad the obvious plot holes are? How how HOW? What a waste of time, money snd effott.

Suffering from acute anxiety, young Miranda faces a new terror when a serial killer chooses her as his next target. As he chases her through the woods, she soon finds the strength she never knew she had to elude her murderous tracker. This was like a channel 5 made for tv movie but with lots of killing. The acting was so bad it was quite enjoyable. Lots of action. A daughter who looked older than her mother. A pregnant mum whose. Prosthetic pregnancy bump Would often turn to a square. Even though cringy annd embarrassing I watched it all. Action from the very start.

The dialogue was Long, pointless and laughable. There was little tension. Incompetent police officers incompetent script.

J. K. Simmons truly is a remarkable actor with notable performances in various roles like Spiderman and Law & Order. In this film, his portrayal was solid, but the depth of his character left much to be desired. The lack of insight into his motivations, the origins of his actions, and the "does it matter" quote left me wanting more. The absence of background on Miranda's father's passing felt like a missed opportunity for emotional depth. Moreover, the mysterious disappearance of the sheriff added to the unresolved elements of the plot. With more development and better casting choices, especially if J. K. Simmons had taken on the sheriff's role, the movie could have unfolded into something truly exceptional.

You Can't Run Forever" embarks on a cinematic journey that is as ambitious as it is flawed. The film, directed by Michelle Schumacher, attempts to weave a tale of suspense and survival, yet falls short in execution. The film's saving grace lies in the performance of J. K. Simmons, whose portrayal of the antagonist is both magnetic and menacing. His ability to pivot from an average suburban neighbor to a lunatic with a malevolent smile is commendable. The opening sequence sets a promising stage, with Simmons' character, Wade, displaying a chillingly casual approach to violence that could have been the cornerstone of a gripping thriller. This suffers from a lack of tension and a flat direction that leaves much to be desired. The narrative struggles with tonal inconsistencies, failing to maintain the suspense necessary for a thriller of this nature. The film's pacing is erratic, and the character development is insufficient, rendering the storyline predictable and uninspired. The supporting cast, while competent, is given little material to work with, resulting in performances that feel disconnected from the film's core. The script, co-written by Schumacher and Carolyn Carpenter, misses opportunities to delve deeper into the characters' psyches, opting instead for surface-level interactions that undermine the potential intensity of the plot.

In conclusion, This is a film that had the potential to be a compelling thriller but is ultimately let down by its execution. While it may offer a glimpse of J. K. Simmons' undeniable talent, the rest of the film fails to match his prowess, leading to a viewing experience that is, regrettably, forgettable.