All Creatures Here Below

This is much more a short story than a feature film.

For the first 80% of it, I kept wondering "is this it? Is this movie going anywhere beyond a dysfunctional bonnie and clyde story?

Then it becomes something. It achieves something I don't encounter too often in film, and it does it ever so gently -- it's a jerry springer film, without the bitter humor. It's sad, it's depressing, and surprisingly touching just when I was about to give up on it. It makes you glad that your life is not like theirs -- cursed from the beginning of their lives, to the end. And while they're still young.

I can't get overjoyed about the acting -- most of it is held tight to the emotional vest. And forget the dialogue -- while the story may be lyrical, the dialogue most definitely is not. But what it surrenders in poetic ways, it makes up for in simple, grim realism. This movie's realism makes it that much more unpleasant. But in a good way.

David Dastmalchian, crafted an enigmatic story about two adults dealing with brutal childhood traumas while living in poverty. At first, viewers who can the film's low production value maybe like ok where's the story? but the joint performance by David Dastmalchian and Karen Gillan, gives the film incredible value.

The film evokes off a strong human feeling to story's end plot twists. Dastmalchian 's acting carries the story through, as Gillan's performance as a disillusioned person. The film also functions as a road trip film; it follows their tragic story.

This feels like an Indie film from get go, and it sort of ropes you right in from the beginning; you are curious about these odd and rather sad characters and stick around to see where this is going to go. The acting is top notch, really quite incredible performances from people you don't see often (I've never seen either of the two leads). HOWEVER. If this was based on a true story, it should never be retold. If it's just fiction, the writer should seek other topics. This thing is just drenchingly sad. The story winds down and down, you know midway through that there can be NO possible good outcome. Towards the end, we can see what is happening in that hotel room and then just hope and wish that it doesn't turn out to be what you think it will; it does. From there on out to the bizarre ending, it is just purely unnecessary sadness. Why tell a story like this? Who could possibly enjoy watching such tragedy? I don't get it. Everything about acting and music and cinematography top notch, but damned if I know why anyone would dream up such depressing dreck to film for others to see. John Doe turned in a top notch performance too, albeit quite brief. Can't wait to see X again, they never let you down, unlike this movie...

This is a powerfully acted film about a destitute couple who make poor decisions that eventually spiral out of control. But if you are in a bad mood, this film won't lift your spirits, but make you more depressed.

Ann Jillian and David Dastmalchian star in this star-crossed lover drug/roadie flick about a working stiff who has a drug addicted girlfriend and a limited income.

He gets fired and bets his paycheck on a cock fight. He wins, but the fight is broken up by the police and the bookie/drug dealer runs away with the money. David catches up with him and stabs him in the leg. He takes the money and the dealer's car and runs away with his girlfriend to another state.

So, what is the big deal. We have seen this a hundred times already. Oh wait, they discover a baby in the back seat after a few hundred miles. This certainly complicates things. Now, there is a potential kidnapping charge, in addition to other charges.

The story gets authenticity in my book because of Dastmalchians early adulthood in the Midwest as a drug runner/dealer, who eventually cleaned up his bad habits and migrated to LA. That authenticity shows in the film.

However, there are few surprises here, other than the baby, and we are left with an empty feeling at the end of the movie. However, that is what the writer intended.