All Creatures Here Below

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.

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.

The 2 main cast had chemistry and brilliantly gave a stunning performance.

For the first half you will feel what the hell is this you are watching but as the movie progresses it makes you understand the depth of the characters. Really well acted and story line is good. It is disturbing and sad but the characters you will hate in the beginning will make you understand why they did what they did in the end.

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...