Felon

At the start of the film, I wasn't impressed with much - poor directing, lack of proper cast direction, bad sound quality, and even got annoyed with the horrible shaky cam that started to give me a migraine. But as the film progressed, I'm not sure if I got used to the shaky cam (as well as the other issues) or if in fact, everything started to improve, but I started really getting into the story. It still had issues with bad scene transitions and some lack of proper direction, but most can be forgiven as rookie mistakes for newb (at the time) filmmaker Ric Roman Waugh.

However what this film did deliver is a constant tension and suspense filled story, getting better by the minute, and stellar performances by Dorff and especially Kilmer, who nailed his character. Waugh has certainly grown and improved as a filmmaker, as one of my favorite all-time films is Shot Caller (I rated it 10/10), also written and directed by Waugh. So maybe I was a little hard on this film as I saw it after Shot Caller, which was a near-perfect film, and thus set the bar high. Nevertheless, this film is a great story and another of Waugh's must-see films, but maybe see this one first if you haven't seen Shot Caller yet. Both films are in the same genre, but Shot Caller is imo Waugh's best work to date.

Most prison movies are essentially the same story told with different characters. Usually the protagonist is convicted of a crime (which he did or did not do), is sent to prison and finds that they have to either adapt to their brutal new surroundings or die. Allies are won, enemies are made, death lurks around the corner. "Felon" is no different but three things raise it above most others.

First is the setting. Filmed at the New Mexico State Penitentiary, the movie carries an air of authenticity and gritty realism that movie sets simply can't provide.

Next is the casting. Stephen Dorff has always been a very underrated actor and here he provides a wonderful portrayal of a man let down by the legal system and cast adrift in a living nightmare. His descent from upstanding family man to an enraged prison inmate with fire in his eyes and blood on his knuckles is perhaps predictable but Dorff sells the portrayal to the audience completely. However, Harold Perrineau and Val Kilmer are the real stars here. The first (whom avid fans of the television shows "Lost" and "Oz" will already be familiar with) offers a great performance as Lieutenant Jackson, a happy family orientated man outside of prison but a monster within its walls. Kilmer, meanwhile, is John Smith, the philosophical but potentially dangerous convict who comes to befriend Dorff's Wade during their time together.

The third and final ingredient that ensures "Felon" impresses, is the passionate directing by Ric Roman Waugh who also wrote the screenplay (based, apparently, on events at the notorious Californian State Prison). With the help of some incredible editing, the movie powers along at a frantic rate and rarely gives the audience time to breathe. If the ending is somewhat contrived, you can forgive it because the journey to reach the conclusion was so intense.

Highly recommended, especially for fans of "The Shawshank Redemption", "The Big House", "An Innocent Man" and "Lock Up".

This is one of those films that I'd always try to remember. The characters in the film are very realistic. Stephen Dorff, Marisa Nichols carried it really well. MR. Kilmer played a pivotal role towards the end, for all the dubious minds who'd question his character/ role in the film.

I believe Ric Roman did a wonderful job by addressing the many different situations that we as humans can go through in daily life. It was simple yet smart and a powerful film. I may not watch it again for, I do not want to witness the horrid situations again, but I'd definitely recommend it once for all!!

It's really nice to stumble upon good movies when you don't expect it. Nowadays, we are becoming more and more guided by the marketing that goes behind the movies, to realize when we actually go see them that we are often left unsatisfied.

Felon is a movie about a man who is working hard to create a life for himself and his family, he has worked hard to establish his own business and feels as though he is finally ready to start reaping the fruits of his labour. Then, life brings a unexpected twist and he finds himself in prison. From this point on, we see transformations of a man who is forced into a new world where he has no control.

This movie is a great glimpse of the extreme conditions that the American correctional system can create. It also displays very well how people can get corrupted by power. All the actors in this movie shine and portray perfectly their characters. The story is very well told and by the end of the movie, you are left reflecting on how the correctional system has so many flaws and how it drives people to become their worst, both as inmates and as guards. However, the film also shows that even in these circumstances, there are great acts of humanity and compassion.

A very good movie, definitely worth the watch. 8/10.

This was just great, guys - I loved it!

The acting was great, the script was great, the cast was great! I was actually moved by the performances and the storyline in this movie. It made me realize that I take lots of stuff for granted in this world. As easily as waking up in the morning - as easily and swiftly your life can be turned upside down. This movie perspectivates ones life and at the end, what you're left with, is the feeling of fulfillment and the urge to do something good to the ones you love - or find somebody to love and take good care of them.

A bit gory and ironic at the end - but overall - like one of the other reviews said - one of the greater prison-movies! ...And Val Kilmer - OMG - GREAT JOB, DUDE!

What a great experience, guys! Thank you for that!

/Martin Jakobsen