Assumption of Risk

I was privileged to attend a recent screening of Assumption of Risk and throughly enjoyed it! I was completely engaged in the story line and keeping up with its twists and turns all the way from first scene to the end. The plot is an interesting mix of suspense, science fiction and thriller. Wade Balance did a great job writing the screen play. The cast Is convincing and believable. Mark Kochanowicz cleverly directed the story on a very limited budget, with few resources. The only downside is a few of the transitions were abrupt and therefore seemed a little choppy.

Wade and Mark make a great team. I look forward to seeing more movies by them in the future.

The entire composition of this film was successfully assembled to be very strong. All facets coordinated harmoniously - a tough thing to achieve. Scenes, music, acting, stunts, storyline, editing and all are top quality with plenty of variety and the result is an intensely riveting movie with even a few perfect twists of humor worked in. I especially enjoyed the distinctly different personae of the lead characters, and each of them has a lot of depth, making them feel real. I can relate to each of them. Also surprising is the level of quality achieved on a low budget. We are looking forward to watching it again to better pick up some of the intriguing subtleties, too.

Okay, maybe I'm biased. But this true-independent thriller is more entertaining than many big budget films I've watched lately.

It's got period elements, subtle humor, social significance, nice action that never goes over-the- top. It's smart, and by not ever dumbing down, it keeps the audience glued to the screen.

Excellent cast local to the production City (Philadelphia) featuring many recognizable actors from recent TV and block-buster hits.

And clearly, writer/director/producer/actor, Mark Kochanowicz, knows his way around a film set. His hands are all over this movie, Nice work.

All in all, this is exactly what independent film should be- interesting, fresh, dynamic.

Anybody who remembers Bones McCoy on the original Star Trek marveled at his ability to lay bare the inner workings of the human body and effect instant cures with the deft twirl of a dial or two. Amazing stuff, right? But bore no relation to real life. Well, kids, the future has arrived, and Assumption of Risk picks up where McCoy left off. Calculating life insurance moguls have figured out, with the help of a nifty biometric device, how to calculate the number of days left on your meter. And how they use this information will induce some electrifying changes in your own vital signs. Fasten seat belt before watching.

If you like to see things blow up then this movie is not for you. But if you are a mystery film lover whom enjoys "peeling the onion layers" of clues away with the protagonist Wes Riemann (lead by the very competent actor Dan McGlughlin) then you are really going to enjoy the unique plot and twists of Assumption of Risk. Shot in a style reminiscent of the great suspense films of the 70s, director Mark Kochanowicz, explores the manipulation of life and death by a greedy corporation lead by Brensen Tol (Bill Chemerka). "The Wire" alumni actors, Brian Anthony Wilson, Frankie Faison and Christopher Mann round out the lead cast in this intriguing independent film.