The Kane Files: Life of Trial

Film titles that imply intricate, complex plots easily catch my attention. With a title like The Kane Files: Life of Trial (2010), I expected some La Mémoire dans la peau (2002) vibes.

Because of his sick son, our protagonist Scott Kane needs to go back to a life he tried to bury. He accepts to complete one task for criminal kingpin Daniel in exchange for cash to pay for his son's treatments.

I have to admit I have nothing great to talk about in this film. It starts interesting, trying to build the main characters, but I think it just falls flat once the actual plot begins.

The Kane Files: Life of Trial tries a non-linear approach to the plot, which doesn't look appealing. Other than maybe one or two close to interesting plot twists, everything you experience a new segment to learn something new, you actually learn nothing, because you can predict the film's plot quite accurately.

No character is explored in a good way. They are all shallow and lifeless. I didn't care about any of them.

For someone who apparently is the best at what he used to do, he seems rusted. Either he was really desperate and not thinking straight, or he was not the best, just dismissable. I don't mind the main character is running from the bad guys, but when he can't even defuse a situation with three women while he's armed, well, I don't know...

Forget about files. You get none here.

In the end, I appreciate the short 86 minutes of screen time. The ending scene got me what I expected, no surprises. The film tries to add more to it, but nah, dismissable. Skip this one.

"You got a choice to make. You can finish this job and go to jail and your kid will get the best care any kid could have, or you cannot finish this job, you still go to jail and your kid will die. What are you gonna do?" Scott Kane (Fuller) is a reformed criminal who is trying to live his life straight for once. After his seven year old son has a heart attack and Kane has no way to pay for the transplant on his own he decides to do one last job. After being double crossed he risks everything to save his son. Based on the preview I honestly expected this to be OK but a type of made for TV movie. While it did have the feel of a glorified made for TV movie this was very, very good. I loved "John Q" and I would call this one a more intense action version of that movie. Unlike most low-budget action movies this one really sucks you in and makes you root for the "bad guy". Being a father I can see where Kane is coming from and found myself really pulling for him throughout. Overall, not quite as good as "John Q." but this came as close as you can. I give it an A-.

Action is OK but unless you don't mind the FBI 'hero' brutally assaulting a victim of the underworld, for some daft effort to put some crook away, and a good deal of plot nonsense, then I'd give it a miss. We have a policeman trying kill his sister because of what her hijacker told her and much other nonsense.

The plot was superb, and the directing inspired. The actors were splendid. I can see why Drew Fuller won Best Actor. I especially enjoyed the performances by Ethan Embry, William Devane, and the young one, Ethan Mouser. I hadn't seen him in other flicks. He should do well. Kid actors amaze me anyway. I don't know how they get them to perform in front of the cameras, director, crew, lights, and other actors.

Even the cinematography was excellent. This is a great thriller and should have had a wider audience.

Oh, about my summary line/title. This movie made me angry. It made me angry because there's so much dark truth in it about America's health care system. Indeed, I think the premise of this movie is an indictment of our health care system, a system that would allow a 6-year-old boy to die because his family can't pay for his treatment. Out health care system is nothing but a g.d. business. No money...no TV. No money...no car. No money...no medical treatment. Scott Kane would not have had to resort to such drastic measures if we took care of our own in this country.

But, then we wouldn't have had this movie, either.

The Best Actor award won by this movie made me watch it.

An ex-criminal who now lives a normal life suddenly has to do what he did best - crime. This movie shows how a man changes for his family again and again. Also it portrays that no one is your own if you get in their way of crime. One is exploited when he's helpless but at times those people fool you too, as there motive gets solved you are forgotten. And so the only option left is REVENGE

I won't say it's the best attempt at crime but will not disappoint you. Drew Fuller has really performed very well and Whitney Able has a good role to her credit. William Devane's role is very twisted and good to watch.