BRIEF BLU-RAY REVIEW: Detail and colours are kind of muted, but this was likely the intent of the film makers. It does lend itself to the moody and atmospheric photography. Just DON'T expect a razor-sharp print. The Audio, although spare, is good and effective.
Now, to the film... This really isn't exactly my kind of movie, but it is made very well, the photography of the scenery is beautiful and moody, and the acting is very good all around. The mood is relentless and oppressive, but not overly done where they are pounding you over the head with it. But, make no mistake... This is DEFINITELY woven from the threads of Film Noir. Not so much in the look or style (which is why I personally really like the Classic Genre and modern films that copy that style) but in the mood and tone where you REALLY feel the inevitability of it all closing in as the film progresses. If it had been handled with any more of a nasty or violent edge, I would probably not have liked it. But, fortunately the film makers wisely kept that aspect of it in check and only used it sparingly when it most effectively added to the overall theme and tone of the movie.
I've always liked Sam Rockwell, and his performance is excellent. He perfectly captures the essence of the type of character he is playing, which is a character that is somewhat out of the norm for him, but he does it well. William H. Macy is kind of underused for the quality of actor that he is, but what he does is very good.
The reason why I said at the beginning of this review that this isn't really my kind of film, is because I generally go for more of a stylish approach, where the characters are far more intriguing and there's maybe a bit more cleverness to the story in order to drive this kind of film. But, that is just my personal preference. For example, I REALLY liked Sam Raimi's 'A SIMPLE PLAN' which is somewhat similar to this story, but the tone and the characters are far, FAR more interesting. This film is more of a stripped down, human interest study of the main character. And, thankfully, since almost the full weight of the film falls on Rockwell, he carries it off with just the right tone where he clearly is a flawed character whom you cannot exactly root for enthusiastically, but at the same time, he gives his character JUST the right touch of decency and humanity in his dealings with others and in his sparse dialog, that you come away feeling some sympathy for him. If it wasn't for that ONE vital element, I feel that for me anyway, the film would have been just too cold and lifeless.
So, I would say that as long as you don't mind a film that is not terribly stylish in tone or characters, and IF you can appreciate a REALLY simple, pared down story, but one that DOES indeed have a strong, oppressive suspense to it, then you might enjoy this movie to some degree. Of course, if you like Sam Rockwell, that would probably help a lot...
This is one of those cases where although I do indeed appreciate the quality of the film and felt that it was done very well and had no serious flaws in it, it is just not really in the style that I would personally prefer. BUT... since it IS a quality film, I feel that although I would probably give it more of a '6' for me personally, for others who perhaps like this particular type of film more so than I do, a rating of '7' would probably be more objectively in line with the quality of the movie.
I hope that this helps...
Now, to the film... This really isn't exactly my kind of movie, but it is made very well, the photography of the scenery is beautiful and moody, and the acting is very good all around. The mood is relentless and oppressive, but not overly done where they are pounding you over the head with it. But, make no mistake... This is DEFINITELY woven from the threads of Film Noir. Not so much in the look or style (which is why I personally really like the Classic Genre and modern films that copy that style) but in the mood and tone where you REALLY feel the inevitability of it all closing in as the film progresses. If it had been handled with any more of a nasty or violent edge, I would probably not have liked it. But, fortunately the film makers wisely kept that aspect of it in check and only used it sparingly when it most effectively added to the overall theme and tone of the movie.
I've always liked Sam Rockwell, and his performance is excellent. He perfectly captures the essence of the type of character he is playing, which is a character that is somewhat out of the norm for him, but he does it well. William H. Macy is kind of underused for the quality of actor that he is, but what he does is very good.
The reason why I said at the beginning of this review that this isn't really my kind of film, is because I generally go for more of a stylish approach, where the characters are far more intriguing and there's maybe a bit more cleverness to the story in order to drive this kind of film. But, that is just my personal preference. For example, I REALLY liked Sam Raimi's 'A SIMPLE PLAN' which is somewhat similar to this story, but the tone and the characters are far, FAR more interesting. This film is more of a stripped down, human interest study of the main character. And, thankfully, since almost the full weight of the film falls on Rockwell, he carries it off with just the right tone where he clearly is a flawed character whom you cannot exactly root for enthusiastically, but at the same time, he gives his character JUST the right touch of decency and humanity in his dealings with others and in his sparse dialog, that you come away feeling some sympathy for him. If it wasn't for that ONE vital element, I feel that for me anyway, the film would have been just too cold and lifeless.
So, I would say that as long as you don't mind a film that is not terribly stylish in tone or characters, and IF you can appreciate a REALLY simple, pared down story, but one that DOES indeed have a strong, oppressive suspense to it, then you might enjoy this movie to some degree. Of course, if you like Sam Rockwell, that would probably help a lot...
This is one of those cases where although I do indeed appreciate the quality of the film and felt that it was done very well and had no serious flaws in it, it is just not really in the style that I would personally prefer. BUT... since it IS a quality film, I feel that although I would probably give it more of a '6' for me personally, for others who perhaps like this particular type of film more so than I do, a rating of '7' would probably be more objectively in line with the quality of the movie.
I hope that this helps...