Bullet on a Wire

Jeff Strong did a large body of strong work in Chicago as a theater actor but the understated quality of his performance in Bullet shows that the transition to screen only enhances the subtlety of his work. Strong never has to say a word to convey the loneliness and longing of his character. He creates sympathy even as his darker selfish intentions become painfully obvious. Luara Fisher is perfect, showing vulnerability and strength with absolute conviction. While this character could descend into a stock female victim she and the script rise above that possible cliché and use her situation to show the steel hidden within her bruised spirit. Writer /director Jim Sikora, spinning gold out of straw ,budget wise, once again provides a unique script and vision that should be seen on a much larger scale.

I guess this goofy and awkward attempt at wedding Jim Jarmusch' early style with film noir in its later day incarnations would be highly excusable for a debutant in his early to say mid 20's. It's not much worse than lots of European artsy movies shown at the amateur film festivals. It's too bad that very seldom if ever any of these film enthusiasts can manage to record the sound properly! You've got to turn the volume high up and still strain to discern the dialogue. However, Sikora's film is way more coherent than about 95% of the home made film & video products as shown at your local Public Access TV. And, hey, if this film was French and director's name was, not a random shot mind you!, Francois Truffault I doubt not that the film would get many accolades. I wonder if Sikora must have seen films like "Tirez Sur Le Pianiste"? He could have if he went to a film school or, even better, if like Truffault he thought himself through watching great masters of the moving magic! I will definitely check out this author's other work...I've seen a preview for ROCK AND ROLL PUNK which, naturally, is not even listed in his IMDB filmography!! Salut!