sandro-krinina

A movie like Gloves Off comes around once in a generation, if we're lucky--Clean, witty, exceptionally funny, and at times off-beat, with raw realism and heart reminiscent of The Full Monty. Steve Nesbit elicits monumental performances from his cast. This is perhaps one of Paul Barber's best and most complex. Newcomer Kab Silva rises effortlessly to the occasion, the bar set sky high by comedic genii Alexei Sayle and Alan Ford et al.,, to give an award-worthy comedic performance which leaves the audience wanting more. And the entire cast shines, each one seemingly brighter than the next.

This is such a well-cast and well-acted film. Estella Warren as the ultimate Femme Fatale and Lenny Von Dohlen as the Ssociopath-Antagonist absolutely shine. Pride Grinn as the comic relief lingerie designer who shows more than a personal fascination with female attire and Erin O'brien playing the consummate LA Woman make a perfect pair. Alex Cubis' delivers pure naturalism and heart. With so much adversity challenging this production at every level (a ten day shooting schedule, among other hazards!) the high visual quality cinematographer Pedja Radenkovic achieves in his necessarily minimalist style is beyond exceptional. Anna Bamberger's feature directorial (and writer/producer) debut is astounding.

This is a solid and complex Gangster film, complete with subplots, plausible plot twists, memorable characters, exciting, original and often shockingly violent sequences, fine cinematography and acting. The one criticism from the other reviews--which, by the way, I could hardly comprehend for the intensity of their negativity--that does ring somewhat true is that I'd have liked some of the characters to be more developed--but after all this is testimony to the film's intriguing and original plot, compelling characters, and the fine(for the most part) portrayals by the excellent cast. This is definitely the kind of rich film that has so much going on that one needs to see it at least twice to appreciate it for the cinematic achievement it is.