Donovan Reid (2019) User Reviews

5 out of 10 is where this is at

[livin_the_weekend · 5/10 · 10 June 2021]

*NON-SPOILER*

This film has a great storyline, but it could've be done so much better. You can tell straight off the film is extremely low budget and some of the acting is really awful, without mentioning individuals. It's a shame really as this had the potential to have been made much more than it actually was.

A sad story.

[gspontini · 5/10 · 16 August 2019]

So the acting is not that great, It really great but it's a good story

A short film stretched an extra 60 mins. for theatrical purposes.

[tkaine3 · 5/10 · 2 October 2019]

It's not a bad film but knowing an hour and 20 minutes isn't long and yet I couldn't wait for it to end. The story was kinda original which was a plus but the characters were too cluttered with cliche's. It was almost unbearable but the ending had a good enough twist. If you remove 45 mins in the middle theres nothing you'll need to connect the dots. The last 5 mins. dumps everything on the table, the mystery is revealed case closed.

Not very good.

[sdiegotw · 3/10 · 29 June 2019]

I can't say this movie is amateurish. The cinematography and editing is good. However, the first thing I noticed is that the main character is supposed to be 20, but the actor portraying him looks much closer to 30 (or older). That is very distracting. He seems to be a decent actor, and is a nice-looking guy, but he simply doesn't look the part. The rest of the actors are a mixed bag as far as ability goes.

Thirty minutes in there is no character development. I'm left uninterested in all of the characters. The central question in the movie, which is made known almost from the very start, could be resolved almost instantly with a bit of modern technology, rendering any suspense regarding it absurd. From early on, there is an undercurrent of something else going on, but, again, no suspense.

Who Are You, Donovan Reid?

[lavatch · 6/10 · 7 July 2019]

A boy who mysteriously disappears returns to his family after an absence of ten years. But the police suspect that he is an imposter. What is the true story of the missing kid? "Donovan Reid" was a modest film that developed good suspense in the drama of the identity of the title character.

A conflict ensues when the father believes that his son has returned, but the mother believes that he is not her son. A DNA test will determine the truth. But in the meantime, the film frequently flashes back to the period when the youngster had been kept in a virtual state of captivity by a strange woman. It was not even clear if he had received much in the way of an education.

While the father was sympathetic, as well as the neighbor Harbor, who had befriended the young Donovan, there was a sinister aura surrounding the other characters. The filmmakers were successful in allowing the audience to piece together the story right along with Donovan, who clearly suffered from amnesia.

At times, the dialogue was clunky and the casting choices raised questions in credibility. The father and Donovan seemed to be nearly the same age. Also, the police officer's aggressive tactics in interrogating Donovan seemed excessive. Still, this was a thoughtful though disturbing film that should generate lively discussion about the bizarre world of Donovan Reid.

HAHAHAHA! Seriously?

[jbrooks-87405 · 1/10 · 3 July 2019]

Just awful. The glowing reviews are bogus, obviously because they state the acting is good. The dad's horrible acting is comical. Just...no.

youll need your good memory

[ops-52535 · 6/10 · 2 July 2019]

This is a back and to back story that goes between two houses, so similar in the outfitting that you will have trouble seeing the difference till the adults of the house comes into the stagelight.

it is a good drama, just mortalized by thge editing at some extent, but the acting ar good and sinscere in all its complexity, the filmo fine and the allround score a nice and gives a good a mysterious float to it.

the grumpy old man bet you wont love this film at first, but its accepable and recommended in the end.

Isn't this just a rework of the (incredibly well done) documentary "Imposter?"

[ndogg9999 · 1/10 · 27 July 2019]

I'm asking because I watched the preview on prime and that's what it looks like....and it looks horrendous. Watch the documentary "Imposter" 2012.

Drama Mind Reality Complex

[peauarthur · 7/10 · 12 December 2019]

The young male survivivor can trigger personal memories of my youth where adults can be so psychologically powerful as an authoritative figure with so much anger, you forget if they were ever born as kids and just see them as monsters rather than human beings with emotional love this so-called family love. Surprisingly non-religious in contrast to my feelings as a spiritually positive Christian, this young male survivor was able to sort out the confusion during his daily struggles. He maintained a strong spiritual calmness that kept him from jumping to conclusions and prevented him from ending someone's life that kept him indoors for a decade. Musically calm through every scene is probably more of a mind healing effect rather than the character dramatization movie effect.

Garbage

[mrnerdymcgee · 1/10 · 10 July 2019]

This film is a total ripoff of the 2012 documentary about the French scammer Frédéric Bourdin. The script lacks any originality, resulting not only in a played-out plot but also tedious unnuanced dialogue recycled from every made-for-tv movie from the 1990s. The acting was atrocious to the point of being nearly unwatchable. Also, the way the writers wrote all the female characters seemed incredibly misogynistic. Skip this terrible movie and watch the 2012 documentary instead.

Family mystery stuns audience

[dalvey-06831 · 10/10 · 12 May 2019]

Donovan Reid is a moody yet respectful young man who is pestered by his guardian to remain isolated from public view with no explanation. His memory of life confounds and confuses the audiance throughout this well written presentation of a unique 'who-done-it'. Location cinemintography is superb and set design brings the authentic feel of home to this well crafted independent film production. You will definatley tell your friends about Weston Lee Ball and his portrayal of Donovan Reid.

Unpredictable end

[numb023 · 6/10 · 7 November 2020]

I like movies that surprise me because most movies are predictable but this wasn't even movie was dragging. Acting of dad was over board. But i liked the end

Uncomfortably bad

[pennehen · 1/10 · 13 March 2021]

Just not worth watching! I can appreciate the difficulties that come with producing a low-budget feature, but a bad script is a bad script. The acting was painfully bad and lacking genuine emotion. Far too many of the shots were just unnecessarily long and drawn out. Not to mention the distracting gold fish ornament behind the dad at the blandest family breakfast I've ever seen.

Overall, don't bother unless you want an incredibly uncomfortable laugh and to waste 84 minutes of your life

Somewhat bad

[lewisbaird · 2/10 · 13 March 2021]

I feel like there was effort put in somewhere, but unfortunately the result is a lackluster film in which nothing really happens, and it happens very slowly. The acting is poor, and so is the dialogue, and there are a number of plot holes that just confuse things further. I appreciate the attempt, and I'm all for people trying new things, and I believe that not all art has to be perfect, or even good. There is merit in the mere creation of any art, good or bad. However there are better ways to spend your time than watching this particular movie.

If you value your life and your time...Skip this film

[nedfox-974-15680 · 1/10 · 29 July 2019]

Keeping it short and sharp this is garbage, acting is bad from the mom and dad and the police guy is a joke, they all must have been friends of the producers or something. Life is too short for garbage films like this.

Awful

[sean-81-476473 · 1/10 · 2 July 2019]

This is terrible, awful actors cheap film, you can tell within the first couple of minutes as the acting is tinny, the only believable character is the deaf guy, and that's only cos he doesn't speak, avoid not worth watching

Amateurish

[kleypas-332-350852 · 1/10 · 21 July 2019]

If this is what Amazon is going to be providing as their original programming, they won't be competitive with the other streaming services for much longer. This movie seemed more like a high school class project.

Watch Donovan Reid!

[chrisa0001 · 9/10 · 1 August 2019]

I finally had the opportunity to watch Donovan Reid via Amazon Prime. I highly recommend it! The film evokes a great sense of suspense. The plot is pretty close to the vest; I kept wondering what would happen next. And there are excellent performances by a host of local talent, including Anthony Martinez and Lydia Revelos as the conflicting parents, as well as Kimberly Kalember and the lead Weston Lee Ball (who has a neat David Byrne vibe in this role).

The film is also very well assembled, with picturesque establishing shots that remind me of the Bodega Bay region, and an effective score by Jared Newman. I highly recommend this film!

(Full disclosure: I have enjoyed working with Anthony Martinez on many local theatrical productions, and I have seen Lydia Revelos and Kimberly Kalember's fine stage work at Left Edge Theater.)

You'll love the ending!

[Jacobs43 · 1/10 · 11 August 2019]

You'll love the ending...and I mean that quite literally. You will love when this movie finally ends and your misery with it. The overall premise of the film could have been good if executed differently but the acting is absurdly ridiculous and you're expected to believe that the main character never looked in a mirror or had met his close relatives living in the same town. Unless your intent is to laugh at this film, avoid at all costs.

Unexpected Gem

[ccmax · 9/10 · 16 June 2019]

Just happened to stumble upon this while scanning through Prime Video; how refreshing to find such a well crafted film! A bit slow at first but I implore you to stay with it, you will not regret it. An ending you will not soon forget!

Excellent mystery !

[WatcherOfTheSkies777 · 8/10 · 30 July 2019]

It's a family drama with a great concept an d a lot of suspense. Very well made on a technical level and it will keep you guessing until the end.

Donovan Reid, we've all happy your finally home

[tom-kendall-91-162432 · 8/10 · 1 July 2019]

I don't know where to start. But let me say this. I have been disappointed with the lack of "stories" coming out of Hollywood in recent months. I know, first world problem, but hey, we've been spoiled for a long. Sweeping in to fill the void comes Donovan Reid. A smart, well acted, masterfully directed, film that continually has you thinking that the outcome you guessed early might not be so. Lead actor Weston Lee Balls performance was captivating and the remaining cast performed very well too. I just love this kind of movie !

Great suspense movie

[indiana-19900 · 10/10 · 12 May 2019]

It grabs your attention all the way until the end. It's a movie you will talk about long after you watch it. Well scripted and performed.

Thoroughly enjoyed this film!

[miker-565-975757 · 10/10 · 2 July 2019]

The film kept me guessing about who Donovan Reid truly was, and I was NOT disappointed! Bonus points for choosing beautiful points of interest in scenic Sonoma County as a backdrop. Highly recommend!

Mysterious til the end

[swingin-buddha · 10/10 · 29 May 2019]

This movie has you questioning a lot of things the whole time. Very suspenseful until the very end. Is this man Donovan Reid or not? Very well written story, and the cinematography is beautiful. If you like a good mystery, I highly recommend Donovan Reid.