davemccrea-1

It might not have the style of say, Cape Fear but it's as entertaining. As a 90s thriller fan especially but also a directing student and filmmaker myself, this film thoroughly impressed me. The script is very well written and it is extremely well directed - there is not a false note in the thing. The leads are all excellent, the score is great, the camera choices and sets are great and the script is just the right mix of unpredictable yet satisfying - you know you're watching a sociopath thriller and you get that but it unfolds in ways you don't see coming. It's depressing this movie isn't better known but what can you do?

This is a smart, very well acted drama for adults. It puts you in the emotional situation of the characters, and it is quite an intense one. I actually think this is the best performance I've seen Richard Gere give, and Steve Coogan, at first distracting playing an American, ended up doing an amazing portrait of mental illness. Sadly, in a movie like this, where a director takes risks and actors give great performances and the material is challenging, the less intellectual audience members cry because it doesn't fit into whatever cookie-cutter formula they have in their mind for what a movie should be. One reviewer on here even has the nerve to point out to the writer- director tips on what a good script or movie is supposed to be, straight from their first reading of Save The Cat screen writing tips..

Got this on Google Play here in NYC. I see the lead actor wrote this, he is to be commended, this is a very good script that will satisfy those who like the genre (noir/crime/dark drama). This is one of those "downward spiral" movies where a guy starts to screw his life up more and more as he goes along. So if you liked say A Simple Plan, you'll probably like this. The third act is strong also, which is a rarity these days.

Too bad he couldn't find a producer and director that would do more with this solid storyline - the sound was pretty bad - it sounded like they didn't even use a boom, and the cinematography - well there wasn't any. Every scene was shot using whatever light was there. Maybe this was intentional, to give it that "cinema verite" look but it did not add to the film. Many takes were longer than they needed to be and the pacing was the same all the way through - come on, this is a thriller, it should accelerate as it gets going not stay at the same mph the whole way. Also a little score would have gone a long way, especially in the third act to amp up the suspense.

The acting is just decent, with the standout probably being Martin Askew. Would have liked to have seen a bit more flavor from the characters. Gangsters are supposed to be fun to watch in my book, as well as being intimidating. The protagonist was not that remarkable, the kid was whiny and the wife wasn't exactly a ray of sunshine. But yet it still works because the script sets up the situation properly and the suspense and plot turns are more than enough to hold your interest.

Anyway, if this is your type of film, it's worth seeing for sure.