Respite (2020) User Reviews

Could have been great

[napoleanWilson-1 · 5/10 · 14 May 2021]

I really liked this at the start, but then drifted away from it. It's obviously low budget but has a great feel to it thanks to the main actor, but then the cracks start to show. The crime scene with one tech and no uniforms just shows the movie's limitations. Add in a few bad actors and a ridiculous coincidence at the end it just left me feeling hollow, thinking of what could have been.

Is that your son?

[nogodnomasters · 6/10 · 11 February 2021]

Jimmy Baz (Monte Bezell) is a private detective. We find out that he is an ex-cop who lost his badge after his son went missing. He normally follows husbands and get photos of them cheating. He is asked by desperate parents to find their 22-year old son Khalid (Ahmet Devran Dayanc) who they adopted as an Afghanistan orphan. His investigating takes him into the dark world of Afghanistan traditions carried over into the US.

Interesting film. Slow at times.

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.

Had potential

[elizabeth-rochon · 4/10 · 22 August 2021]

The lead actor Monte Bezell, reminded me of Andy Garcia. All but one actor acted as if they were seriously reading from a script. The man who owned the hookah shop was the best actor.

The story was really good however the acting was very played out. Disappointed but I still gave it 4 *.

Respite is a BAD movie

[da-50649 · 1/10 · 28 January 2021]

I did not enjoy 'Respite'. First of all the dialogue was trite; the characters in no way communicate as normal people would. It's very stilted, formal and over dramatic. Second, the viewer comes away with no understanding of the abusers' internal rationale for their actions beyond the prurient, so the film offers no illumination or human insight on the issue it's attempting to address. Finally, the acting varied widely from a few decent performances to outright BAD-the ending scene is basically comical. In short, it's a film best forgotten.

Wish I could give it 0 stars

[SamanGar001 · 1/10 · 2 February 2021]

I watched this movie because the trailer caught my interest a little, but I should have realized by the lame fight sequences and nobody actors that it is a waste of time. It's definitely not an action movie, and the writing sucks. Steer clear.

Boring and badly acted

[dabraham13017 · 27 January 2021]

I watched Respite and wish I could have that 90 minutes of my life back. I have no idea what the "filmmakers" were thinking. Respite tells a tale of childhood abduction and prostitution in the Middle East, which could have been an intriguing subject except for the lurid way the producers approached it, using cliched characters and cheesy dialogue. The ending is heavy-handed and the acting is amateur, the whole thing is painful to watch. I gave it 2 stars for a couple of reasons (for example the actor who played Alves was interesting and occasionally the Jimmy Baz character showed depth) but otherwise this is a cheap and unintelligent movie that does not have actors strong enough to save it.

Didnt kept my interest

[nikoskont · 2/10 · 30 January 2021]

I watched for 10 painful minutes, bored to death, gave up on the movie.

A story that needs to be heard here

[micheler96 · 8/10 · 22 August 2021]

This story is an important one & one where we can all agree must be told. I can see where the writers are bringing about an awareness for those who suffer at the hands of others.

mixed feelings, but pretty good movie, overall

[austin-12831 · 8/10 · 27 March 2022]

I watch a lot of movies based on murders, and other crimes. But I rarely see a movie, filmed in a gritty Jersey neighborhood, only about 20 miles from where I grew up, in Jersey. It was interesting, yet unnerving, at the same time. I'm not a city boy, but a suburban, woods and mountains and nice homes, kind of guy, unlike Monte Bezell, the lead actor. Frankly, Jersey City, where this movie was filmed, has to be the worst hell hole, in the worst, most corrupt state (and my home state), in the country. If it fell into the sea, tomorrow, I wouldn't miss it--and I'm a Jersey boy, myself! That being said, once I realized where this movie was taking place, then I could understand, why it seemed a little unreal: because it was too familiar, and too close to home. And, it started off slow, and was difficult to put all the pieces of this mystery, together--at first. However, as it got going, I began to understand the plot more, especially as it got closer, to the end. Monte, I don't think that you would ever make a good cop, but you didn't have much trouble portraying a beat up, and alcoholic, private detective, that's for sure. So, the overall action, was a little slow, and unwieldy, in the beginning--but the pace picked up, quite a bit, nearing the end. Yes, the hookah guy was good, but so was the ptsd destroyed veteran, that Jimmie interviewed. And the ending was just amazing; totally mind-blowing, in fact! And yeah, Jersey City DA would wanna press charges against Jimmie, for losing it, at the end, and pumping Amir full of lead, after what Amir had done--and all the dead kids they'd dug up...But what was really startling was how Khalid's family had hired him, to find their poor, missing teen, only to find out what that teen was doing--and why! I don't want to give away too much of the plot, here, but it was startling to realize how far someone will go, to achieve justice. And, of course, our government, like every other country, also has blood on it's hands, as pointed out in this movie, as well. Didn't we also help Osama Bin Laden, in the beginning, when he was fighting the Russians? And look how well that turned out, too. Despite the unsettling nature of where this movie was made, and what it is about, it is nonetheless a very worthwhile movie to watch--for adults only. I rate it 8 out of 10.

Entertaining and great acting

[haya-80364 · 10/10 · 6 February 2021]

I'm not usually into action and crime dramas but I really liked Respite. The acting is great and the story line pulls you in. There are so many movies to watch while lockdown restrictions are still in effect and If you're looking for something néw and riveting to watch, I highly recommend this one.

Respite is compelling.

[janemartha · 10/10 · 26 January 2021]

The narrative of Respite is compelling, dark and dramatic as it weaves a story around cultural taboos, through the adage "win at any cost", along with peripheral mosaics of savage acts against humanity, only to twist, interlace and ultimately reveal its fully entwined tapestry of truth.

The production reveals a sensitive history filled with challenges requiring moderation and restraint, pivoting on the admission of complicit consent of a western force embedding itself along side unrecognizable foreign customs.

The juxtaposition of personal consuming grief and professional credos weigh heavy against the omnipresent battle of good over evil and light over dark.

The evocative score adds a haunting underlayment artfully enriching the audience experience with a soulful shroud of emotion.

In one word, Respite is - compelling.

A compelling suspense story, well-told

[Kronos-47 · 10/10 · 6 February 2021]

This film held my interest from the beginning and never slowed down. A compelling story, well crafted plot, and a great job of editing.

The actors gave some great performances, particularly Monte Bezell as Jimmy Baz, and Julián Juaqin as Alves.

Respite - Good Story, Acting and Casting

[rajanchayal · 10/10 · 27 January 2021]

It is very nice movie. I saw with my family all loves it. My friends also like movie. There were many intelligent shots where it appeared that some common sense bits were not captured but after the scene you realize that it was actually captured in a subtle way, hence common sense a natural execution. Every Cast role is wonderful and pure natural acting. Background music is simple but nice 👍 Jimmy Baz Acting is awesome love you.

LOVEEEEE

[kvvzya · 10/10 · 29 January 2021]

An amazingly deep story, Never a dull moment ! Highly recommend !

Engaging thriller with a well rounded ensemble..

[michaelelian1 · 10/10 · 1 February 2021]

The story kept my attention and the cast did a great job moving the story along and weaving a very intriguing story..

There are some very moving moments in the film and had a great balance of suspense, action and worthwhile character arcs - I recommend this title!

Very underrated film

[OneAnjel · 10/10 · 10 October 2023]

I almost felt I was watching a very underrated Sound of Freedom. The write-up fails to help us understand it's content so we let the film move on until the ah-ha moment and we get to see where it ends up. Some will be disappointed because it's a film made in America about a foreign crime, but it's happening here and all over the world. It doesn't matter why yet this film guides us to realize that our own government had turned a blind eye on this situation, even at the end of the film where they decline to persue charges against the distraught father. I felt all the acting was very good and not only spoke very clearly but the lead has a great voice and is good looking. Anyone concerned about children, world issues, or the American underbelly should enjoy this film. I'm bumping up my score a bit due to the unfair reviews here. Very underrated film.