Two Step

I wanted to like this movie so I stuck with it. I'm glad I did. I have an appreciation for ultra low budget movies that spring forth from a passion for filmmaking rather than an urge to create a vehicle designed to generate money and fame. There are hundreds of little movies that never get seen because the filmmakers try to emulate a formula that works well for huge budget Hollywood motion pictures but not for movies produced with tiny budgets. In the case of Two Step the effort is right on the money so to speak. It's a movie about regular people dealing with difficult circumstances.

Two Step largely suffers from regional filmmaking disorder. Audiences can't put their finger on it but they know that it's out of sync with what they're used to watching. In spite of all the terrific elements that make up this movie, something doesn't quite click. The script is serviceable. The performances are competent and sincere. The lighting, camera work and production design are seamless add gravity to every scene. The direction is low-key to a fault. I enjoy the languid pace and slow burn approach but contemporary audiences generally don't. I wish the characters would've moved around a bit during conversational scenes but the director chose the default position of putting his actors in a sit- down to do the talking.

Skye Moore is endearing as the kid in jeopardy unfortunately he's nothing more than a prop for a big chunk of the movie. James Landry Hébert is fairly convincing as the villain. His initial motivations are clear and his brutal behavior is obviously born out of desperation. But his descent into total depravity and the horrible acts he commits are not compatible with the character of the petty thief that we meet at the beginning of the movie. The narrative just doesn't bear it out. If he suffers from the dementia of a tortured, maniacal inner life, there's absolutely no hint of it on screen.

All of this criticism doesn't offer the impression of any kind of recommendation. However, there are good things about this movie. If you understand the limitations regional, indie filmmaking and you want to see a movie with no pretension, that has a good look, clean audio, good performances and an intermittently compelling story, give it a try.

When things go bad, they can get really bad. After a young man loses his grandmother, he inherits her house and is harassed by a conman who has been manipulating her for her money. The actors do a great job with their performance. The protagonist is a young man who gets into a situation where he can't defend himself. The antagonist begins as a petty thief and becomes much worse. It is easy to see their character arcs and the plot in this story. This is a suspenseful story with good realistic drama.

I have a friend who had a small part in this film so I went to see it because of her. What surprised me was the suspense and the way the characters built tension between them.

This was a good film noire – a favourite genre of mine. It is minimalist – with sparse dialogue. There are some good twists. One is never quite sure where this film will take you, with the flow from scene to scene unpredictable.

I felt all the characters, most of whom were unknown to me, gave good solid performances. There was nothing over the top (no histrionics) and each played their role well. The violence is sudden, but not over- emphasized. I felt on edge through-out this film. There is an uncomfortable feeling throughout. The music was appropriate and added to the atmosphere.

This movie approaches great many times, and I would recommend it as an exciting story with some great acting that drags a bit here and there. Webb, our antihero, realizes his life has gone upside down while he was in jail, when he finally gets home to find his girlfriend has dumped him for his boss, stolen all his money, and he owes said boss $10k.

James is a college dropout who's grandma was swindled by Webb previously, and their stories intersect when Webb tries again. James is held prisoner in his grandmother's home while Webb begins to spiral out of control.

Webb seems truly upset and confused why he's being pushed away by people he considered family. It seems especially true with Duane, whom he looked at as perhaps an older brother.

There's a fair amount of violence, and the way James Landry-Hébert plays it suggests that while Webb is committing these horrible crimes, he is genuinely upset with himself. There are several scenes where his despair at his own actions is evident; and I think the way he refuses to look at his girlfriend after killing her is a great example.

For me, Dot and her married ex-boyfriend were generally unnecessary characters, and her scenes with James were too long and plot wise, wasted time (also, don't judge me, her wardrobe was probably better for a younger woman). Duane, Webb's boss, was a great addition, and I loved his Texas-isms; as was his friend, the biker.

Overall, I would recommend this movie to someone looking for a thriller, with the caveat that there will be parts that aren't amazing. Also, how the hell does he drag that cigarette so deep, hold it to swallow his beer, then exhale the smoke? I don't understand the mechanics of that.

Two Step's narrative, actors, sound, and cinematography all deliver exceedingly well, in this fantastic thriller, drama, action, low budgeted film. These factors get better and better as the movie progresses. The characters remain memorable, the gun shots remain memorable, and the suspenseful guitar theme remains memorable. Most action thrillers are predictable, but the way Two Step's plot progressives leaves the suspense hanging throughout the entire film.

I would have given the film a 9 if not for the dialogue and acting that lacked in parts of the beginning. However, this did not decrease the quality of the exposition, as it was told very creatively, focusing mainly on visuals and actions from both James, the protagonist, and Webb, the antagonist.

The movie is violent, suspenseful, and very mature, not appropriate for ages below 11 or 12.