Live One

Wow. Blew me away. Live one is a little long, that is an understatement, but, and this is a big but, it unfolds in such a way that it keeps you completely glued to what is unfolding in front of you. It is a story of mass proportions and then some. Scars run deep in this crime revenge thriller that keeps you hooked from beginning to end. An unbelievable story which goes this way, then that way, then that way, and what an incredible ending that says Dallas Ryan is a prick, but in a good way. He is a master story teller in this indie film. I can't believe how good this movie is. I've seen it a few times now in the theater and I feel this is one of the best films of 2024. It's not the perfect film by any means, but it's a story that is perfectly told.

Live One is a unique piece of cinema that breaks barriers in different ways. A very original story, one that I've never seen before and one that I wouldn't think would work, but it does work brilliantly. I wasn't crazy about some of the shots and cuts in the film but it does go in alignment with the director (and actor) Dallas Ryan's vision. At times this film is very funny and at other times it is very creepy and disturbing. Reading the opening where it talks about catching 3 foul balls in a baseball game goes perfect for what happens in this film. It might even be like catching 5 or 10 balls in a game. The story starts out with the character David (played by Dallas Ryan) doing a series of things to get his daughter back, who has been abducted. To say anymore about this film will give away many spoilers. There are a lot of twists in this film and the ending is quite interesting too. The acting is pretty good from top to bottom. It's a film that won't soon leave my mind.

Overall a pretty good film. Sometimes it drags a bit, still really good film. A pretty wild movie. The twist reminds me of the twist in the film 'Old Boy' even though the twist in this film is completely different but it still has that same kind of unsettling feeling while watching it. Some films leave an unsettling feeling and this one is one of them. Not unsettling in a bad way necessarily but still very underlying frightening and in other ways nightmarish, hair raising and spine chilling. I've never seen any of these actors before. The music was really good. I liked the girl that played the daughter in the film too.

Wow! I was blown away by this film. Live One is spot on in how poignant it shows how things can affect us and then it becomes a vicious cycle as we keep paying that pain forward. Also, it comes back to us as well which this film also shows beautifully. Starts out 15 years ago, and then goes into the present. It's a little bit long of a film, but well worth it in the end. Dallas Ryan as David is perfect as the father trying to figure out what's going on. Stephen Thomas Abbott is very funny as the Delivery Driver. Well acted by everyone in the film. A solid gem and perfection within a realm of pain and deception.

I won't lie, the first five minutes of Live One I almost stopped since it starts out slow. I am so glad I stuck with it though, it is a powerful film. It goes this way and that way and you don't see this coming or that coming and it had me hooked to what was happening the entire time after the initial five minutes. Low budget film that is a powerhouse performance given by Dallas Ryan, he was spot on as the lead. Other stand out performances were Chloe Gay Brewer and Michelle Liner.

I don't know how inspiring this twisted tale of a tale is, but it was a very interesting story that's for certain. I saw some of these actors years ago, but the rest of the cast I'm unfamiliar with.

I love films like this, mind thrillers with many twists.