EvenHand

This is an indie film that is so close to being good, it's frustrating. The performances by Bill Dawes and Bill Sage are engaging and endearing, the cinematography by Tim Orr exquisite, and the songs by Mike Doughty brilliant. Unfortunately, certain elements of the directing, editing, and score may help explain why it didn't get the theatrical release it could and SHOULD have received. The first half hour begins slow and foreboding (with a bizarro "Crouching Tiger" instrumental in the background), which would be fine, except for the fact that what slowly and ultimately emerges from this movie is not a mood piece, karate flick, or "meditation" on cop life. What emerges is a character study played to near perfection by the two lead actors. I hope that they get the recognition they deserve from this film. It is worth just to see what good acting is all about.

Joseph Pierson's surprising "EvenHand" comes as a total surprise to this viewer. It seems that even in the Indie circuit, it was not deemed commercial enough to grant this film to be seen by a wider audience. Thanks to the Sundance Channel, we were able to catch with it recently, and frankly, it's much better than some mediocre fare that keeps turning on, even on cable. The screen play is by Mike Jones, who according to IMDb, is his first story for the movies. Mr. Pierson is making his second film after having only co-directed "Cherry", previously.

The film has an almost documentary feeling in its exposition. We are somehow confused by the beginning as officer Rob Francis is seen talking to a woman who might have been injured, but we have no clue as to what has happened to her. This, of course, is resolved toward the end of the film, as we are taken to that scene in great detail.

The idea of pairing an idealistic cop with one that has been around, and for all accounts, might have dealt with things in his career without the approval of his superiors, is at the center of this story that takes place in the streets of the fictional San Loviso. Officer Ted Morning is a street wise cop who believes in doing things his way. As Morning and Francis begin their partnership we see two different men from different backgrounds with two different attitudes in life.

Slowly, both men become one team, as the idealistic Morning starts seeing how things really work and how right his partner is about his approach to the street laws. In fact, Officer Morning is an experienced man in his own community and knows what makes people do the things they do.

Bill Sage makes an amazing contribution to the film. His Ted Morning is nothing less than perfection. Mr. Sage also appeared in "Mysterious Skin" in a totally different role and he proves he can do anything. Why is this actor not seen more often and in films that matter, is a mystery. Bill Dawes is another actor that gives an incredible performance as Officer Rob Francis, the man who comes to the San Loviso police force with high ideals and is turned off by what he sees going on instead.

If there's a film to watch for great portrayal of real people "EvenHand" is it, thanks to the stylish direction of Joseph Pierson.

The acting is pretty good in this indie film, while the production value isn't that great. Bill Sage.turns in a good performance, as usual for him, and Mirelly. Taylor is good as well. The other main character is poorly played by. Bill Dawes, who should stick to standup comedy.

This film won't become a cult classic, but it will probably continue to be shown on cable. It's not a bad film at all, and is even memorable in some ways. The scene with the deranged man who is carrying a cinder block with a rope tied to it and to himself is kind of memorable at least. I liked this and gave a dvd of it to a friend who is from San Antonio.

This is a slow paced but enjoyable little indie film. It's sort of like watching an episode of "Cops", but you get to see what the officers really talk about between calls.

Having been a police officer for the past eight years, I must also compliment the film makers and screenwriter for a portrayal of uniformed officers that is as realistic as anything I've seen on film. It is clear to me that the screenwriter, and I'm sure the actors, spent some time researching police officers. The small talk between partners ("You don't like women because of their personality, do you?") was both funny and bang on - I'm sure I had the same conversation myself.

There were some flaws that stuck out for me - officer Morning carries both an expandable baton and a straight stick; he brings his mag-light out of the car and puts it on his belt in broad daylight; and he wears his uniform when he goes out drinking at a bar.

Nevertheless, the feel was right. The same calls, the same idiots they have to deal with, the same monotony day and night punctuated by a few moments of adrenaline and danger.

I also found the acting to be good, especially Bill Sage as Officer Morning. He reminded me of a friend of mine I used to partner with.

The soundtrack was also very engaging and appropriate, giving a very bluesy feel like something from Ry Cooder.

Not a perfect film, but definitely the best cop film in the past several years. If you like the police stories on Third Watch, you'll like this.

Yet another film that would have us believe that bullying, lawbreaking, and the administration of "street" justice are all just the handiwork of unloved, seasoned cops. In this one, as in all of them, the idealistic partner is teamed with the cynical hardnose, with their initial friction creating a clear option of allegiances for the viewer. And, as always, the idealistic one slowly sees the "reality" of the situation, as he slides into tolerating, then approving, then adopting some (albeit not all) of his partner's dubious methods and views.

This is a gritty film, but one with wit and a bit of that indie film feel that some folks really love. The fact that it's about a rather worn theme doesn't diminish its craftsmanly, and sometimes artistic, level of success. As a movie about mis-matched cops, it really works. If you like that sort of thing, you'll like this one.

But... I must say that--as un-PC as it is in this post-9/11 world--I am really tired of movies that want me to believe that a bad cop is really my unsung hero. The makers of this film were so afraid I'd miss that point (and, uh, well... they shouldn't have worried) that it is almost _literally_ stated for us in narration towards the end.

I scored this one an "8," because it's a good film. But the message about nasty police somehow being a necessity of life was more than a little nauseating, partly because it was so heavy-handed. If you prefer your cop stories with a little more ambiguity, you might pass on this otherwise very good movie.