Forfeit

I saw this film at South by Southwest. It gets off to a slow start, but then I got swept up in this complicated story about a security guard and his old high school girlfriend, played by Sherry Stringfield. It's a serious drama, but there's a lot of humor. Wayne Knight, of Seinfeld fame, is great as the second-in-command of a corrupt Los Angeles armored car company. Billy Burke plays the leading role and is intense and riveting. This is an enjoyable low-budget indie with a gritty, L.A. feel. But you need to pay attention. The plot is complex, as it should be in a heist movie. All in all one of my favorite films at this year's South By Southwest.

This is one of those rare "B" movies which has a complicated yet solid storyline accompanied by excellent acting. The filming looks like something you would see on daytime TV yet the storyline and acting is something you would expect from a well-known director and a much better funded production.

Forfeit is not an action film nor a thriller it is a complicated psychological thriller about a white, devout Christian hell-bent (seriously hell-bent as he acknowledges the evil of his actions) on carrying out his vengeance for an decade old crime against him.

The only complaint I have is that the storyline is based around the stereotype that devout Christian men are violent, irrational and delusional. While atheist/agnostics and non-practicing, pseudo Christians are the victims of their misguided passion. However that being said the film does not portray all Christian men as violent and delusional just the only one in the film.

When one reads reviews about this film, it could just as well be about a non kung fu action movie for all that is missing in the creative surplus that is bedazzling. First the best group of actors and casting I have ever seen who are all "unknowns" to me, except for a heavy set guard conspirator who plays it straight and does it well, too. The story line is unexpected and the "lead" has so many faces and is so calm and cool at once, and then a complete wacko. It works because we are not force fed a story line typically American, but the revelations do come back in flashbacks, in revelations which are accidental or cleverly edited. However they make it there, they work. Even the evangelist works whereas most of them are all so dumb and overdone.The film is going to be a sleeper and is going to be HUGE in France. It is very much like a combination of French directors and does not mess around with any of the modern icons who are running out of parts for DeNiro and Pacino playing devils.This is low budget and mesmerizing film making with not one bad actor. Too many young filmmakers who have no idea of the roots of films who try and be witty and forget what it takes to assemble this kind of involving production.