LAKE CITY is a little low budget film that has a good enough story behind it, backed by several social issues that are well handled to make it work. Writers/Directors Hunter Hill and Perry Moore present a flavorful feeling of the South and keep this at times creaky story line moving along with the necessary momentum to maintain the viewer's interest.
The male lead of the film is in the Fonda line (Jane as mother, Peter as uncle, Henry as grandfather) and as such Troy Garity seems to have inherited the right genes. As Billy he is the central character: Billy left a troubled home to seek his fortune as a guitar musician, but became involved with Hope (Drea de Matteo) who is deep into drugs and drug theft and has left son Clayton (Colin Ford) in Troy's care. Troy is implicated in the drug theft and narrowly escapes death at the hands of dealer Red (David Matthews), taking Clayton with him to his hometown and mother Maggie (Sissy Spacek). Troy's alcoholism and trauma drive him to AA meetings where he shares time with his old girlfriend-now-a-cop Jennifer (Rebecca Romijn). There are flashbacks that suggest a childhood trauma in Troy's past, a trauma that has driven a schism between Troy and Maggie. And there are many twists and turns (some rather poorly delineated) that would be spoilers to reveal, but suffice it to say that this druggie on the run and son/mother relationship as well as the origin of the young keenly observant and needy Clayton together unfold the history of a family at risk.
Sissy Spacek is fine as Maggie and Troy Garity shows strong promise as Troy. There are some minor subplots that include actors such as Keith Carradine that add little except atmosphere. Despite its flaws LAKE CITY provides strong entertainment. Grady Harp
The male lead of the film is in the Fonda line (Jane as mother, Peter as uncle, Henry as grandfather) and as such Troy Garity seems to have inherited the right genes. As Billy he is the central character: Billy left a troubled home to seek his fortune as a guitar musician, but became involved with Hope (Drea de Matteo) who is deep into drugs and drug theft and has left son Clayton (Colin Ford) in Troy's care. Troy is implicated in the drug theft and narrowly escapes death at the hands of dealer Red (David Matthews), taking Clayton with him to his hometown and mother Maggie (Sissy Spacek). Troy's alcoholism and trauma drive him to AA meetings where he shares time with his old girlfriend-now-a-cop Jennifer (Rebecca Romijn). There are flashbacks that suggest a childhood trauma in Troy's past, a trauma that has driven a schism between Troy and Maggie. And there are many twists and turns (some rather poorly delineated) that would be spoilers to reveal, but suffice it to say that this druggie on the run and son/mother relationship as well as the origin of the young keenly observant and needy Clayton together unfold the history of a family at risk.
Sissy Spacek is fine as Maggie and Troy Garity shows strong promise as Troy. There are some minor subplots that include actors such as Keith Carradine that add little except atmosphere. Despite its flaws LAKE CITY provides strong entertainment. Grady Harp