Blood for Dust

It's the early 90's in the midwest. Cliff (Scoot McNairy) is a struggling traveling salesman. His previous workplace seems to have been shady and history is closing in on him. When it surfaces, he gets fired. He turns to Ricky (Kit Harington), a criminal from his past.

This is a murky crime noir drama. The murky confusion can throw off some viewers, but it is very fitting of the crime noir genre. I love the idea that a salesman and a conman are two sides of the same coin. I don't really understand Ricky's plan and that does detract from my enjoyment. Ultimately, I really like the murky atmosphere.

No pun intended of course. This is a low budget movie - with quite a bit of action inserted into it. Jon Snow seems to need money too (Kit Harrington is just one of the names you may recognize if you watch as much stuff as I do that is) ... the movie is not a bad one mind you. You may even like it a lot. But it does not really a lot new stuff ... and we are circling back to having watched a lot of movies ... to know the actors involved in this.

The action is well shot, dialog is ok I reckon (though nothing to get too excited about) and the script ... well again nothing surprising ... so while you will be able to "predict" where this is going ... just sit back and enjoy if you can.

While looking to see what new releases came out today, I noticed Blood for Dust, and saw the cast and went in blind. What a pleasant surprise. There is great acting throughout especially by the co leads. Scoot McNairy, who is one of the top character actors in the business, thoughtfully carries this movie on his shoulders as a desperate man who can't shake the past and gets mixed up in some nefarious doings. While Kit Harrington is also phenomenal in an against type role as the loose cannon Ricky. They have good chemistry as old acquaintances maybe even friends. The action is well done, and there is some pretty brutal kills. The climax is extremely intense and had me on the edge of my seat. This is a must watch, especially if you like the movie Fargo. There is also amazing character actors sprinkled throughout in cameos. Josh Lucas chews scenery with ease and makes you wonder how we don't see more of him.

This film is a great example of excellent craftsmanship. The Director of Photography, Production Designer, Composer, Director combine their skills very effectively. Scoot McNairy is an excellent actor who delivers the role of cliff with Nuance and Care. Kit Harrington surprises with playing against type. Other cast members do a splendid job with complimenting each other effectively. Montana shines as a gorgeous location and character. Some of the landscape photography is spectacular. Some of the violence is depicted quite stylishly and occasionally with a pleasant surprise. As an indie film, Blood for Dust really stands out to show how so much can be accomplished with so little. The ending was very unexpected and quite well done .

When Scoot McNairy plays the lead you know the main character is an average joe. Because no one can play an average joe better than scoot. He does his part making the audience connect with his seemingly laconic life.

Scoots character, Cliff is not doing so good as a salesman. He has a kid in the hospital and a wife in group therapy. Much of his character development is spent at the beginning observing his time on the road. Its evident he has financial short comings.

There are two superfluous dialogue scenes with Stephen Dorf then later Rose Mason which could have been removed and you wouldn't know it. Except they serve to reinforce two things. One, that Cliff really does try to do something other than take Ricky's offer, and two, he did lack scruples in his past.

There is parallel part of Cliff's character portrayal which reveals something flawed in his past. His past life does catch up with him in the form of a former associate called Ricky. Kit Harrington. We don't know what Ricky was like before, but it becomes apparent that he is a lot more calculating and capable of evil than Cliff realized he could be.

Ricky makes an offer to Cliff he can't refuse. The movie picks up pace at this point. There is violence and double crosses and everything you would expect. Cliff has no idea what he is in for.