User reviews

I read the plot summary, "OK, structured like Memento, let's see if it's original." Started out fair with nothing very compelling. Seemed like a standard small town crime story with nothing new beyond the backwards- in-time format. But definitely picks up along the way. Got more interested as I watched and it ultimately paid off very well! The structure truly served the plot and was not just applied to make it seem creative. It was inventive, tautly paced, well cut and an appropriate length. Give it a shot. You might even want to watch it again. I plan to.

"Shimmer Lake" is a very enjoyable dark comedy from Netflix.

The story of a bank robbery is told backwards. When I started watching it, I thought it looked cheap. I don't think it cost a fortune. It concerns the local sheriff and his attempts to bring three bank robbers to justice - one of whom is his brother. The story goes in reverse day by day as we meet the different participants.

I thought the dialogue was funny, the actors were fine, and while it will remind some people of Fargo, it's no Fargo though it is good. And I loved the way it was wrapped up at the end.

Clever, funny, Netflix has redeemed itself after that awful thing Handsome.

Although you don't have a character with short time memory loss, the story is told in pieces and starts in "current time", to move backwards, day by day. An obvious choice, since this makes the movie a little bit more interesting and gives it an edge, it would not have otherwise. After I finished it, I did rewind and check some scenes. There were subtle hints for things to come or rather things that happened.

Still it is not above complete scrutiny and some may even say it is too clever for its own good. Nit-picking aside, if you like decent thrillers that keep you guessing with decent actors and decent acting in it, I can recommend this movie to you. Even with the warning signs, there are certain things that will surprise you. Whether you agree with the "morals" of the movie or not. And whether you accept some "coincidences" or not, is up to you ...

I'm not sure why this film is considered a crime-drama. It is really a dark comedy and mystery told in reverse chronological order. It's certainly not a serious crime-drama at all. Unlike most comedies of this sort that make local police look like the buffoons and the FBI agents the serious crime fighters. This film spins things around by making the FBI the buffoons. The exception is the sheriff's sidekick who doesn't seem to get a chance to sit shotgun with his partner in the squad car. Almost always relegated to the back seat.

I thought it was creative and funny.

A crime caper which is told in reverse which seems like a bad choice until the end (beginning) of the story where it all comes together nicely. It has a quirky style, some humorous moments and good acting, but mostly, it just rolls along without much of a fuss.

This movie works because it uses a particular style to tell the story ala "Memento". While its not as awesome as that one, it does everything well. The acting is superb. Its so good, that you get surprises by the day (the movie is told backwards day by day), more than anything because of the subtle acting from everybody. Its short, well edited, well writen and performed.

Benjamin Walker in particular shows off on this dark mystery dramedy of a movie. And at 1h 20m doesn't meanders through unnecessary plots and unimportant "arcs" for characters that are tangential to the point of the movie. Great, great small movie.

This 2017 Netflix production is the directorial debut of screenwriter Oren Uziel, and the actual scribbler has managed to tell a good story more than solidly, while still integrating atypical atmosphere into a streaming film and picking actors who manage the balancing act between quiet excitement and loud suburban calm very well.

The story is unfairly compared to Christopher Nolan's "Memento" (2000), though those who make this very incorrect comparison only manage to cite a single argument, namely the story being told backwards. Except that's simply not a unique selling point of Nolan's debut feature.

Uziel tells his story - he is, in fact, also the film's screenwriter - in chapters, starting with the last one and then moving backwards over the days to the beginning of the story arc. The narrative style suits the film, is clever and also has a purpose that is fulfilled, namely the twists and turns that are surprising in places. The film makes it easy to compare the scenes after watching, to put the plot together and then to enjoy everything again mentally. Due to the fun of it all, some of the plot's weaknesses don't matter so much, small inconsistencies of the bank robbery are rather easily wiped away and one also forgives a discreetly exaggerated overdrawing of the characters in the film.

The actors, on the other hand, do a very good job. First and foremost Benjamin Walker, who with his almost stoic manner makes the main character an interesting one, but one that is difficult to get through, and this again comes close to the basic idea of the film, or rather this kind of play is rather essential to what happens on the screen, or on the streaming screen. Russel, Williams, Higgins and co. Play solidly and in their familiar rut, so easily watchable. To their credit, they were cast wisely for their roles. Still standing out is Adam Pally, who mixes his very funny, but not silly, character with just the right amount of charm, wit and seriousness that the script and the essence of the film give. Pally is also a contributing character to the film's comic element, which Uziel sprinkles into his film in a well-sorted way that is always present but never too much. The running gag about sitting in the back seat of the police car is about a perfectly written for this backwards film and manages to tickle out a laugh while watching it.

All in all, Shimmering Lake is a surprisingly good film that manages to pull off a mix of genres that rarely goes well. The film isn't quite the big hit yet, but it's good entertainment that everyone involved was happy to work on and put effort into.

I really enjoyed this. It's a good quality B movie. Well written and acted, it held my interest throughout. I don't often write reviews but this is a little gem which deserves a higher score. Don't let the told-in-reverse thing put you off; it's easy to follow and the storytelling works well. Try it!

There are two reasons you might make a film with a non-linear time line. The first is that you have a twist in your film, however the twist doesn't come at the end of your story so you need to make it happen at the end of your story (much like 'Memento' did). The second, and inferior, reason is that your film simply isn't unique enough on its own. 'Shimmer Lake' is a combination of both of these reasons I suspect. There's a twist of sorts which would have come at the beginning of the film and now comes at the end. But what they won't tell you is that by doing this it is also hiding the fact that this is a very run-of-the-mill story line told a thousand times over. I'm sorry, but it really is. There is nothing fresh here in that regard.

I feel like there were a lot of missed opportunities in this script as well. It should have been more fun. There should have been more reveals (or at least more important ones). As each day goes by backwards, it feels more like things are simply being confirmed for us, rather than taking us by surprise.

There's also a quite bizarre tone to the film. There are a few actors in the cast known primarily for their comedic talents. When they're on screen the whole film feels more like a comedy than anything else. Then when they're not on screen the film decides to take itself very seriously. In that respect the film is an absolute mess that looks like it has been dissected a hundred times over in the editing room. There was an idea here that could have been good, but that was as far as things got. Sadly this is a misfire.

No spoilers here.

Like Memento, it's written to be watched twice. The writing is tight and smart, nothing is wasted, though that might not register until the second time through.

Both bleak and comic, it is a genuine mystery, in that clues and red herrings are carefully planted throughout, with a big reveal at the end that is genuinely surprising. The storytelling architecture is very satisfying.

You are not emotionally invested in any of the characters. This is by design, the structure pretty much guarantees it, and it's a good thing.

Though it works backwards, it goes day-by-day, not sequence by sequence, so while you are kept engaged in figuring out what's going on and who's who, it's easy enough keep track, you're never at sea. There's plenty to enjoy the first time through, but much of the early content, and many of the "jokes" -- it's very dark, but they are a kind of jokes-- only hit on second viewing.

It's a new kind of thing, straight to streaming, the cinematic equivalent of a straight-to-paperback noir. Made cheaply enough that neither the cinematography nor the acting seek to wow you (though they do get the job done) so it's not like a movie. But it's not like TV either, it's not looking for ratings, it doesn't have to go big-hit-or-die, it doesn't need a sponsor, it can be its own thing, the story they wanted to tell, everything's in there they wanted, nothing is in there they didn't want.

I liked it a lot. I probably wouldn't have watched it again, but there were special circumstances, and I'm really glad I did.

Uziel helms and pens an exceptional dark dramedy thriller. The story is recounted backwards much like Nolan's, "Momento" which keeps the mystery tense until the end which is actually the beginning. This film has considerable direction, screenplay, cinematography, score, settings and acting. All of the artists deliver ambitious portrayals of subtle comedic characters and serious characters. In particular Wilson, Livingston, Corddry, Russell and Pally stand out. Walker commands the screen and is very impressive as the cool headed intelligent Sheriff. The plot revolves around a bank robbery and is untangled using title cards starting with Friday and ending with Tuesday. The three suspects are childhood friends Andy, Ed and Chris. Friday starts off Andy who is a corrupt prosecutor hiding in the basement from his brother Zeke who is the Sheriff investigating the robbery and was shot during the heist. Andy escapes the basement and speeds off. The FBI shows up and Zeke explains this is a small town, where everyone involved grew up together, played sports together and know each other. He assures them that he and his Deputy Sheriff Reed have it handled. Andy throws the loot in the back of Chris' wife Steph's car and then an arm with a 'State Champions' tattoo reaches from the car and shoots Andy dead. Thursday starts with Zeke investigating Chris who is the wheelman. We learn that Andy got Chris and Ed off on a reckless manslaughter charge in which a child was killed. The child was Chris' and Steph's son who died in Chris' meth lab. We meet Judge Brad Dawkins who is involved as he is the owner of the bank and was blackmailed into giving up the vault combination due to a revealing videotape that would ruin his reputation, marriage and aspirations. The Judge burst in on Chris demanding the videotape after the robbery and things go awry. Wednesday starts with Andy and Chris trying to determine if Ed took off with the money. Steph has lured Chris into the compromising position that allowed the Judge to burst in. Andy busts in on the Judge and his meth head boy toy. He insists Ed has something on the Judge and a struggle ensues. Steph holds the struggle and videotape as a bribe to have Andy hold onto the money for Ed. Tuesday starts with the robbery being planned by Andy, Ed and Chris and we see a tattoo with 'State Champions' on an arm. Steph is pleading with Chris not to pull off the job but he convinces her it is their only way out of their current lives. The Judge has loaded the vault and it is Zeke's responsibility to guard the vault for the night. Zeke tells Reed to go home. Andy and Ed break into the bank and take Zeke hostage. Andy leaves assuming Ed has things under control. Then the ingenious reveal occurs. The film is witty, crisp, clever, violent, engaging, duplicitous, cunning, vengeful and has a vindicating end. The film has some quirky, daft and chucklesome scenes. The two FBI agents banter while eating during a stakeout when a streaker runs by, the inept masks and accents during the robbery are zany and sitting in a car Andy tells Chris to turn on the radio to get an update and the dim witted Chris puts on music. There is significant dialogue. This viewer's favorite is when Zeke says to Chris, "You know what they say. Once you take a life, it's always easier the second time". This is an appreciable film in it's genre. This film is one of three hidden gems that Netflix released in 2017. The others being "Small Crimes" and "I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore". These three films are not bravura works of art, but they are definitely superior to most of the abysmal content that Netflix has offered.

This is a comedic crime drama told in reverse order. Andy Sikes (Rainn Wilson) is a fugitive from the law. His brother Zeke Sikes (Benjamin Walker) is the sheriff. Kyle Walker (Ron Livingston) and Kurt Biltmore (Rob Corddry) are FBI agents. Andy is supposed to be involved with Ed Burton (Wyatt Russell) in a crime.

This is interesting but it's not hitting at a top level in any one element. I like the idea of reverse order but one thing I notice is the day of the week title card. It needs to be the day of the month which allows for an easier countdown effect. The trick of the premise should be the guilt or innocence of Andy. That goes out the window real quick. The story telling becomes muddled with the reverse order. As for the comedy, they have the cast for it but it doesn't always connect. It seems to be trying for The Big Lebowski but this filmmaker Oren Uziel is not quite at the Coen brothers level. He's done some good work as a writer but this is his only directing credit. He definitely does not have the cinematic style of a Coen brothers movie. This is an interesting attempt although the filmmaker is not quite up to the task.

All the ingredients are there for a great movie. Great acting, great story, humor, plot twist, and delivered in reverse time like the movie "momento".

Shimmer lake is about a local sheriff who is hunting down 3 bank robbers(one of which is his own brother).

The acting was great to me. Especially rainn Wilson. It was as if Dwight Schrute quit Dunder Miflin and helped rob a bank! How can you not love it? Add in Benjamin walker, the beautiful Stephanie sigman, Ron Livingston, and John Michael Higgins and you've got yourself one hell of a cast.

The plot isn't all that great but by being shown in reverse chronological order, it really helps intensify everything. You really have to pay attention in order to really follow along and understand what happens.

What really set it off for me was the plot twist in the end. Many may have seen it coming but I thought they did a really good job setting it up. I, for one, was shocked and totally didn't see it coming. There's moments of humor sprinkled throughout. At first I didn't find it all that funny but it gets better as it all plays out.

Overall, I'd say it was a great movie that's definitely worth checking out. I'd recommend it to pretty much anyone.

The idea of the story being told backwards adds some interest to the film but it comes off to me as the only way to tell this story for it to be entertaining. That being said it's worth checking out.

I'm not a huge fan of stories told backwards reversing day by day. Most of the time I find it confusing but I guess in this case it was necessary for the big twist in the story. I just prefer stories told in a chronological order, it's just way easier to follow. It was also difficult to see Rainn Wilson as anybody else than Dwight Schrute from the great and immensely popular comedy series The Office. He did a good job though and so did the rest of the cast. The story is a bit too slow paced, lacking of action to make it a bit better. But it was good enough to watch once, certainly with the twist that not a lot of people will see coming.

Big storm brewing in this little town. The bank gets robbed. The judge is dead. Two brothers are on opposite sides of the law... one is the sheriff, one is a crook. A little confusing, since the story is told backwards. We start at the end, and work back. Everyone here is quirky. Some fun names in this... rob corddry, rainn wilson, ron livingston. When the fbi comes in, for once, they are happy to let the sheriff take charge. Some funny lines. A bank heist gone so wrong. It's pretty good. A couple twists.. i think. I have a tiny little brain, so it's hard to think backwards. Written and directed by oren uziel. The only project he's directed so far, but he does have more things in production.

Once in a while a film jumps out that doesn't follow the conventional ways of storytelling and that certainly leads to a peak of interest. "Shimmer Lake" tells a murder mystery in reverse, in the ways Nolan brilliantly told his "Memento" decades ago, however nowhere near as gripping as that.

"Shimmer Lake" centers on an investigation lead by small-town sheriff Zeke Sikes, played by Benjamin Walker. The clever gimmick of the script is that the narrative is presented backwards, day by day within the time span of a week. While the way it informs the viewers on how the events came to be is interesting in its premise, the screenplay seems muddled and rushed, missing out tiny details or not explaining everything that leads up to the plot.

The cast did a great job with an impressive performance by Rainn Wilson in particular. However, I felt like I couldn't connect with any of the characters and didn't find myself wanting them to either succeed or fail in the film. The film's running time doesn't even pass 90 minutes, this I believe, leading to a hasty narrative, overlooking backstory details.

"Shimmer Lake" sells itself as an interesting take on a crime mystery film, but ultimately it just isn't that interesting as it was supposed to be.

This movie shows us the events which unfold after a bank robbery, in reverse. It is a very gripping film that has you wondering right until the last scene. Great characters and dialogue, with a good mix of suspense and action. If you enjoy the movie, no doubt you will want to watch it again, since the movie is played in reverse chronological order. I think the decision to show the movie in this order was risky, but well executed. Great length, no filler... awesome movie!

Shimmer Lake is a solid 10 for me. I wish they would make more or turn it into a series.

I think this movie doesn't get enough love and I'm not sure why.

All the characters are great, the doctors at the rope of their game, and how it's put together is just masterful IMO.

What makes it even more great is me you finish it the first time, it plays really well in second watch as you pick up things you missed the first time. Similar to how I felt watching the sixth sense a second and third time.

I don't know if there's a sequel or any plans for more, but please tell your friends about this so we can get the interest up.

As the title says, that's how I felt about this movie. It was definitely a well written script and showing the plot in reverse did work, however using this method I just felt like when the twists or major event took place, it left me feeling a bit anti-climatic. The ending is a good example of this (won't say why due to spoilers). You could kind of guess who was behind it as well the more the film went on also.

Other than that, it's not a bad watch. Netflix have released some horrific films, but this isn't one of them. Definitely worth a watch, because it's different. But it certainly won't blow your socks off!

I can imagine the pitch for this: Yeah the story is lame, the actors are mediocre to talentless, and the dialogue is frankly childish, but we are going to knock off some of the least subtle stuff from Fargo -- and tell the story backwards as a gimmick.

Look I am a fan of Times Arrow since undergrad, but they thing is that form *follow*s function and telling a story in reverse has to have some inherent meaning to the story and in this case there is none.

All I have to say is that a golden era in film has come to an ignominious end by the overtaking of storytelling by political messaging, namely unrealistic female protagonists.

From Mad max fury road to unbelievable to Terminator dark fate to ghostbusters our dearest films are being tainted by studios towing the popular party line.

I'm all for strong female characters, just not in every stinking thing that gets released.

True Detective and the Sopranos seem like long lost halcyon days.