Trapped

With a low budget in hand Robert Mann really did an excellent job putting together this piece. Great plot, actors, directors, and starring in a film writing it and directing it must be pretty difficult. I look forward to see other films by Robert Mann! Man once someone steps up to the plate and provides Robert with major funds I feel he will be unstoppable, maybe even the next Spielberg! If you have not watched this film I highly recommend it! Also check out The Pumpkin Karver as well! Make it a Blockbuster Robert Mann night! Pick up The Pumpkin Karver, a bag of popcorn, and an icy coca-cola and your set for an evening of FUN!

J

I saw this film a few years ago at a film festival and thought it was a cool low budget indi drama. Basically, it's a story about revenge between an ex convict and the judge who sent him to prison. Most of the story all takes place in the Judge's house (I guess they didn't have a lot of money)over a weekend. I thought the story was very interesting and kept my attention, even though it was all happening at one location. The director/writer kept the story moving with twists and turns. Just when you started to want something to happen, it did. It reminded me a lot of the film TAPE, although Tape dragged a bit at times. The cinematography was very good and the acting decent. Teresa Gilmore is totally hot and did a great job as the prostitute. Robert Mann, who played Troy, (the director & writer) has skill as an actor and had some solid moments, especially when confronting the judge. Chris Valenti was not only sleazy but funny as Troy's brother Peter. This film is a cool indi film that I would advise seeing if you can find it.

TRAPPED is the perfect example of what independent filmmaking is all about.

Great story line, well developed characters, and a twisting plot that drives the film forward. Robert Mann, (writer-director-star) has produced an insightful drama that embraces faulty human frailties, (greed, lust, and love), exposing these painful illusions of mankind.

The title, TRAPPED, encompasses not only the characters, but also the audience. By shooting the film in basically one location, Mr. Mann allows the audience to experience what his characters are feeling, claustrophobic and imprisoned. This helps us (audience) feel empathy and identify with its characters, especially Troy, the films' anti-hero.

The film begins with an ex-con, (Troy), holding the judge who sent him to prison, hostage in his own home. But that's just the beginning. When Troy arrives to rob the judge of a large bank withdraw, he catches him raping a prostitute, (Paradise), the charge Troy was innocently convicted of...so he says.

But the theme is much deeper than the obvious "trappings." Not only is the judge TRAPPED in his home, but also in a private bizarre sexual existence. The beautiful Paridise, played to perfection by Teresa Gilmore, too is TRAPPED, in a life that she has "given up a long time ago." Then there's Troy, fighting the conflicting truths of his moral character, while trying to survive in a tainted judicial system.

As the story unfolds, other characters are introduced, each TRAPPED in their own self inflicted existence. Rene Featherstone gives a brilliant performance as the judges emotionally unstable wife, Athena.

TRAPPED is the kind of film that leaves you emotionally stunned and thinking. And thats what interesting filmmaking should do.

They just don't make films like this anymore. Robert Mann as first time Director (he also stars and Wrote the bloody thing!!!),is a true find.This kind of talent just does not appear in Hollywood anymore.He is at once creative,smart,funny,sensitvie and commercial.I want to see more of ROBERT MANN!!!

A great job by this filmmaker/actor Robert Mann. A good story without the usual special effects. It is one of those films that takes you on a rollercoaster ride. It is great to walk out of a screening such as this and still be affected by it.