Preston Tylk

Pick this movie up for its content, plot, and up and coming stars. Pretend this movie is "Fugitive" for people who think Harrison Ford is, justifiably so, too old.

Luke Wilson portrays the angst-ridden, quasi-loser, nice-guy-finishes-second last in a way only he can. He is the victim of a boring, cheating wife, a slice d' la ass in Mili Avital, who detaches from the marriage for Norman Reedus, the Prada model turned unwashed actor. Norman really takes the movie cinematography to a new level with his brilliant and piercing blue eyes - boring down on real or imagined foes with great alacrity and recompence.

The man for whom Oscar's are no stranger, a thespian in every sense of the word, none other than Dennis Farina - the shrewd and wise Miami cop turned private eye in Seattle. Dennis may have been strong in Saving Private Ryan and Get Shorty, but dominates this movie with his composure and sleuth skills.

Even the extras are true to life. During one particular scene when the chase begins, Wilson is seen eating in a low end diner. Stereotypically, the cook looks like a bitter old cook, the Seattle locals look grungy and flannel-clad, and the policeman looks like an FBI agent.

Overall, a strong recommendation for a Friday night at home. You won't be dissapointed with the chase, plot, and eventual outcome.

Others have suggested that the viewer not compare the direction of this movie to Alfred Hitchcock. However, the director selectively inserts H. Into this film in a very odd fashion. Strains of Bernard Hermann (Scottie/Vertigo) occasionally rise up. Our hero is occasionally presented as if he were a Hitchcock character, struggling with internal demons. As a result, I found myself imagining what the movie could have been if it had openly embraced Hitchcock.

Preston Tylk, more commonly known on DVD as 'Bad Seed', is a moody, depressing little thriller that opens with a situation so bleak that we wonder where can we go from there. It concerns Preston (Luke Wilson) a mild mannered dude who comes home from work one day to find his wife (Milli Avital) murdered. He runs off in despair, and soon finds that shady, volatile Jonathan (Norman Reedus), is after him under the impression that he killed his own wife. Jonathan had a vague affair with her, leading to an obsession, and now can't let it go, funnelling his loss and sadness into a nasty, violent vendetta against Preston. Preston's only hope rests with estranged private detective Dick Miller (Dennis Farina) who agrees to go on the run with him and provide assistance. It's a low key, empty tale that heavily gives off the vibe that it's headed for a grim dead end, at least for some characters. There's a sense of hope in the chemistry between Wilson and Farina, the latter proving to be the sole individual in the piece who provides pathos and emotional warmth. Wilson is damaged, detached, and Reedus is cold, unhinged and unpredictable. They both play their roles well, especially Reedus whose hollowness can be felt like a tangible force when he's on screen. This isn't happy stuff though, nor is it fiery and fast paced. It's a melancholy little study of the confusion that death leaves behind, and the elliptical futility of revenge.

As far as such "psychological" whodunits go, this one had an OK story-line based on a realistic premise. Unfortunately, the acting was poor, and here I am particularly referring to Luke Wilson in the main role of Preston. He was never really convincing as the "cheated husband" out to avenge both his wife's murder AND the fact that he was cheated in the first place. He tried too hard, as I think someone else also pointed out in a previous comment. Dennis Farina was fair enough in his role as the private Dick (though clearly stereotyped), and overall I liked the way Norman Reedus played the Jonathan character (despite cozing up with somebody else's wife, he turned out to be not exactly a 100 per cent nasty person but actually an interesting character study in himself). Although having said that, there were a couple of things he did over the top ... like setting himself on fire, and walking around with the crucial video-tape in his pocket all along(!)

I am not sure why Luke Wilson chose to star in this film. He does an okay job. He looks tormented at the required points and hurt at others. As for Norman Reedus he plays "creepy" well and I found it nice to see him in such a part even though it is similar to his character in the movie Gossip. I think it's better to see another Wilson film than this one. Try Bottle Rocket or Home Fries. Overall, this movie was just okay. If anything see it for some nice Dennis Farrina moments.