Love and Hostages

I just bought an Amazon Fire Stick and wanted to test it out and sort the settings. I selected the first film that came up for a two minute test and ended up watching the whole show.

Its an original story and all the relatively unknown actors (to me) were first rate. I really enjoyed it and have been surprised that, although the cast have in the main, worked a bit tat they are not better known. I've seen a lot worse films with big stars in them. A rare find. Recommended viewing.

I loved this movie! It was funny, charming, earnest and moving. Great writing with great performances by all the leads. Such a breath of fresh air to see an original indie like this! Congrats to the filmmakers and the cast! Keep it coming!

Couldn't make it till the end saw 2/3 of it of them sitting in apartment mostly arguing. Boring.

I found this film to be never less than entertaining and in many was fascinating for simplicity of concept (why didn't I think of this) and professionalism of execution. It is the type of story that within the first few frames you understand the journey and this should be attributed to the director's "economy" of shots and not a predictable story. The tale of a couple that goes from a one night stand to captives, a sort of collateral damage situation from a nearby hostage crisis, it maneuvers quite deftly between comedy, drama and sometimes very effective pathos. Carl Rimi is a standout as the brother of the male "hostage," a sort of Greek Chorus if you will that finds the perfect note of the character and plays him to perfection. Randall Core as Michael does a fine job though I might have toned down some of his more excitable moments and Natalie Stavola shows incredible promise. Hopefully she has already graduated to bigger projects. I would say the same about Sheena Colette who was on screen entirely too short! She's a find. It's a fun picture that doesn't hide its indie credentials and doesn't pretend to it's something it is not. Are there tonal missteps, a few, do certain secondary players forget the secondary, sure. But there is nothing here for anyone to be embarrassed by and much to be proud of.

Stuck in her apartment during a police lock-down of the building the morning after two strangers meet in a bar, having had too much to drink, the humorous (rightly balanced) yet semi-serious romantic storyline (also rightly balanced) unfolds as it flashes back and forth from the tension in the apartment to past relationships, family and their fun one-night-stand that they barely remember. The tie-in of people (Paco), things (the piggy bank), and even a partial phone number written on a napkin used a bit grossly (but lovingly) the night before, are all so cleverly interjected, and just wait until the end!!!! A complete unraveling of truths at an unpredictable wedding.....and finally!!! What's in the piggy bank? Although language is used, it's not excessive, sex is insinuated, it's not vulgar, suspense is in the air, but its not stressful, and the acting is superbly professional, not weak or amateurish. This movie is a must see!!! You'll enjoy it, and if you have kids, it's a great movie to leave them at home!