"For Hannah" has a interesting concept. A desperate man on the run takes refuge in the home of a married couple where all is not what it seems. You may think you know where this one is going, but odds are you'd be wrong. The film stars Shannon Brown, who delivers a standout performance, alongside a stellar cast. Honestly, having seen a lot of Shannon's work, I think this is one of his best performances to date. Though my favorite scene in the movie has to do with "Frank The Tank" auto sales.. Ric Morgan, I'll buy a used car from your auto sales shop any day! The style of the film would match black comedy/dramatic classics like "A Simple Plan" and "Fargo." If you're into slow burn movies, this one is definitely worth the watch!
15 Reviews
An Enjoyable Indie
baccaruda13 January 2022
While there are certainly a few recognizable tropes in this indie thriller, there are also enough fresh ideas in the story to keep viewers engaged. Writer/Director/Producer John Wesley Norton did an admirable job while wearing many hats, and overall, the acting ensemble in the film is more than competent, and the film's ending proved to be redemptive in the best possible way. Extra points to the cast and crew for filming in what looked to be a frigid tundra!
Wait... what?
direstinlayo27 December 2021
If no one else is going to be honest, I'll add my two cents. The plot was not only ridiculous, but extremely hard to follow. The soundtrack was excessive, the music was way too involved. And the acting was cringeworthy. The sex scene was a bit dramatic. Could have gotten the point of where it was going minus the oral sex part. The movie did not flow well. Was entirely way too drawn out, could have eliminated a ton of the awkward silent moments at the beginning. Couldn't understand a word the old sheriff was saying. The husband's acting was the worst of all the actors. Also the name of Emma should have been something else that sounds totally different from Hannah. As that was confusing af. That was a bad watch overall.
Avoid. Worst of the worst.
patricktoppins22 July 2022
This is a must watch.
filmguy-820793 January 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. The acting is spot on. There are serious as well as comedic moments. I know we can all relate to the main characters in one way or another.
This movie is well acted. Especially Suzette Brown as the deputy. She plays the part beautifully. The conflict Chance experience's is brought to life and well played by Shannon Brown. Ric Morgan, what can I say, he nails his part as Frank. Carla Abruzzo as Emma is spot on and the chemistry between her and Shannon Brown on the screen is heartfelt.
I'd be remiss if I did not mention the performance of Bruce Spielbauer as Sheriff Cooper. I could not stop laughing at his portrayal of this sheriff. He reminded me of some local law enforcement that I know personally.
The Christmas holiday atmosphere just added to the fun and suspense. You have to watch it and pay attention because it has a lot of twists and turns.
John Wesley Norton has created another fun film to watch any time of year. However, this is one I will watch around Christmas. It has so many different messages of Hope. Well worth the rental or purchase.
This movie is well acted. Especially Suzette Brown as the deputy. She plays the part beautifully. The conflict Chance experience's is brought to life and well played by Shannon Brown. Ric Morgan, what can I say, he nails his part as Frank. Carla Abruzzo as Emma is spot on and the chemistry between her and Shannon Brown on the screen is heartfelt.
I'd be remiss if I did not mention the performance of Bruce Spielbauer as Sheriff Cooper. I could not stop laughing at his portrayal of this sheriff. He reminded me of some local law enforcement that I know personally.
The Christmas holiday atmosphere just added to the fun and suspense. You have to watch it and pay attention because it has a lot of twists and turns.
John Wesley Norton has created another fun film to watch any time of year. However, this is one I will watch around Christmas. It has so many different messages of Hope. Well worth the rental or purchase.
A well-made slow burn
lorrisaj4 January 2022
This is a refreshingly well-crafted work and one of the best indies I've seen this year. Beautiful visuals caught my eye and kept my attention throughout. The masterful cinematography by writer/director John Wesley Norton and production design by Crystal Forlano are studio quality. Kudos to lead Shannon Brown for a compelling dramatic performance, and to perfectly-cast Suzette Brown as the small-town deputy struggling to be taken seriously. Bruce Spielbauer commands the screen as her quirky, likable foil, and reminded me of Sam Elliott.
Entertaining
lex-498534 January 2022
A great story, very compelling with an awesome twist at the end. The acting was good overall but was a bit overdramatized or overacted for some of the characters in my opinion which made them not shine as brightly as they otherwise could have. Sometimes less is more.
On that note, the love scene felt out of context with this type of movie as soon as it jumped to the oral sex.
However, the setting was on point and I was very entertained by the storyline!!
On that note, the love scene felt out of context with this type of movie as soon as it jumped to the oral sex.
However, the setting was on point and I was very entertained by the storyline!!
Who's Hannah?
sandygulliver26 December 2021
You'll find out, and the wait will be worth it.
This film has everything, all swathed with a touch of humor. There's anxiety, intrigue, mystery, drama, and even a touch of sex. It's filled with characters, and was beautifully cast, but my favorite was the old sheriff. With age comes wisdom, and he portrays it well.
I loved this movie.
This film has everything, all swathed with a touch of humor. There's anxiety, intrigue, mystery, drama, and even a touch of sex. It's filled with characters, and was beautifully cast, but my favorite was the old sheriff. With age comes wisdom, and he portrays it well.
I loved this movie.
Great storytelling!!!
JohnKBurke24 April 2022
Writer, director, and cinematographer John Wesley Norton does a great job telling this slow-burn, suspenseful story. Loved the way all his characters came to life with their personalities and quirks, each one adding to the overall tension of the film with twists, turns, and sub-plots along the way! "Well done" to Shannon Brown, Carla Abruzzo, Ric Morgan, Suzette Brown, Bruce Spielbauer, and Kayla Kelly for her hysterical Cheryl character! These and the rest of the crew and actors did their part to make this movie a success!!!
Very Well Done
joyceporter200129 December 2021
I really liked everything about this film. The cast was all around excellent. Shannon Brown, Ric Morgan, Suzette Brown. Carla Abruzzo and Bruce Speilbauer were all perfect in their roles. It had a great look and direction and an interesting story. The plot, about a fugitive hiding in a couple's home, takes many twists and turns. It is humorous at times, but mostly very serious. It did remind me a bit of Fargo. I think you'll enjoy it.
A slow burn -- and a fun, riveting slow burn -- with twists.
lterborg26 December 2021
Excellent. A terrific film, and riveting -- and it has a bit of everything. Yes, FOR HANNAH is a "thriller," and it is a "drama" and it is the sort of "slow-burn drama" or a "slow-burn suspense" that we have seen in movies such as "A Simple Plan," or "Fargo" or "Ice Harvest" or "Blood Simple." Including sardonic, off-beat humor. I will watch this one again - which is the highest compliment I can pay to a movie. Perhaps this is best described as "Fargo" -- without a woodchipper." Five stars, out of five stars. Fun stuff!
Great preformances in a remarkable movie
dimitri600014 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
There's something special about John Wesley Norton. The man knows how to tell a story, visually. You can tell by his expert camera and lighting placements (he also served as DP in a movie written, directed, and co-edited by him!) that he means business -- including in -30 degree weather. You can tell that the actors involved had a blast making this movie and their performances truly show.
Among those involved, I really did appreciate the showmanship of Ric Morgan, Shannon Brown and his wife, Suzette, who also shared a "story by" credit with him. This isn't my first time watching Ric on screen. I've seen him before, playing a lead role in Black Ruby (2017), a movie that was acted in and produced by my friend Joe Mennella. In that film, Ric took pleasure in playing a sinister role, summoning his inner darkness to make those around him feel uncomfortable, belittled -- especially when he directs that negativity towards another actor in the movie, like my friend Joe. Remembering Ric's role from Black Ruby, I could see why director John Wesley Norton decided to cast Ric as Frank. Although he appears as cuddly as the "ho ho ho" Christmas sweater he wears throughout the movie, Frank is a sick, domineering man, who takes pleasure in belittling his wife, Emma, played by Carla Abruzzo.
When I watch Ric on screen, I can't help but to think of Jeff Bridges in Iron Man (2008). Ric's performances, in both For Hannah and Black Ruby alone, reminds me so much of Obadiah -- and it's not because of his slick, bald head. If you recall the movie, Obadiah always acted aloof, always putting down Tony Stark and smiling off anyone -- or anything -- dismissively. He's desperate to be the lead guy, the Alpha Male. The main guy. The elephant in the room. Except... he isn't. Tony is. And much like in Black Ruby and For Hannah, Solomon and Frank aren't, respectively. They want to be, putting others down to achieve the title, but they themselves are more little than those they belittle.
Shannon Brown and his wife, Suzette Brown, can't be summarized in one sentence. Both can fill up an entire review alone because of their brilliant performances as Chance and Deputy Donna Gail, respectively. While I appreciated Shannon's "I'm a tough-guy, but deep down I'm not" demeanor, I really enjoyed Suzette's burden of having to put up with a dinosaur Sheriff, who refuses to get off his high horse (or diner booth) and see her for what she is: a great asset to his office. Desiring to be the Sheriff one day, Donna struggles to be heard and that power struggle goes beyond the confines of the Sheriff's office; she can't get her way when she confronts Emma, twice. Her only hope lies with her ally, Deputy Williams, played by Harold Dennis. Sadly, Williams, however, is inept and winds up getting shot when his naivety gets the best of him.
And speaking of the ending, I was actually surprised with the unexpected arrival of the Sheriff -- and not in a good way, I'm afraid. The ending could've been fine tuned to bolster Frank's character as a master schemer, always one-upping Chance in a game of chess. Instead, he stupidly shoots the sheriff deputy, who knew nothing of Frank's evilness and assumed he was the victim. Seeing that, Frank could've used the deputy's naivety and, once again, gain the upper hand over Chance and, this time, Emma, whose action prior (shooting Frank) could've put her in the spotlight in front of Donna and Williams (had he lived). Imagine if he accused Emma of hiding Chance also in front of them -- all while playing the victim.
And while he plays the victim, this odd thought also sunk into my head: You can't help to feel bad for the guy. Honestly. Emma, of course, is shown to be the victim of his abuse throughout the course of the movie, but Frank endured a lot more than her in the movie alone. While held in the basement, he played no role into killing the gun-for-hire. His hands are clean compared to Chance and Emma, who ultimately shot Frank and lied to the Sheriff and his deputies, claiming Frank took part in the bank robbery. And for what purpose? Frank's already dead, having been shot by Chance, who was then shot by the arrival of the Sheriff. She could've done the right thing and say Chance robbed the bank and now I'm going to clear my mind in Colorado, wink wink. If only we saw Frank lay a finger on Emma. It's hard to tell an audience, let alone show, his aggressive domineering behavior toward her when a simple backhand across the face could've made me root for Emma in the long run. Right now, I can't help but to feel bad for Frank -- despite being a scumbag.
Had Frank succeeded in playing the victim, the Sheriff ultimately would've let Frank go, had he lived, because there's nothing really to pin him on other than Emma's word versus his. What about dragging the body outside with Chance? Well, he wore gloves, so there goes that. The only thing that'll ultimately undo Frank is Lou himself, but, sadly, outside of the movie. Had we seen Lou, or had the movie included Frank's dealing with Lou in the flesh, Frank would've laughed and jeered at Emma that he wasn't arrested. He would've been a free man -- until Lou puts a bullet in him because of his debts. Then, Emma could've laughed her way to Colorado, money bag in hand.
8/10.
Among those involved, I really did appreciate the showmanship of Ric Morgan, Shannon Brown and his wife, Suzette, who also shared a "story by" credit with him. This isn't my first time watching Ric on screen. I've seen him before, playing a lead role in Black Ruby (2017), a movie that was acted in and produced by my friend Joe Mennella. In that film, Ric took pleasure in playing a sinister role, summoning his inner darkness to make those around him feel uncomfortable, belittled -- especially when he directs that negativity towards another actor in the movie, like my friend Joe. Remembering Ric's role from Black Ruby, I could see why director John Wesley Norton decided to cast Ric as Frank. Although he appears as cuddly as the "ho ho ho" Christmas sweater he wears throughout the movie, Frank is a sick, domineering man, who takes pleasure in belittling his wife, Emma, played by Carla Abruzzo.
When I watch Ric on screen, I can't help but to think of Jeff Bridges in Iron Man (2008). Ric's performances, in both For Hannah and Black Ruby alone, reminds me so much of Obadiah -- and it's not because of his slick, bald head. If you recall the movie, Obadiah always acted aloof, always putting down Tony Stark and smiling off anyone -- or anything -- dismissively. He's desperate to be the lead guy, the Alpha Male. The main guy. The elephant in the room. Except... he isn't. Tony is. And much like in Black Ruby and For Hannah, Solomon and Frank aren't, respectively. They want to be, putting others down to achieve the title, but they themselves are more little than those they belittle.
Shannon Brown and his wife, Suzette Brown, can't be summarized in one sentence. Both can fill up an entire review alone because of their brilliant performances as Chance and Deputy Donna Gail, respectively. While I appreciated Shannon's "I'm a tough-guy, but deep down I'm not" demeanor, I really enjoyed Suzette's burden of having to put up with a dinosaur Sheriff, who refuses to get off his high horse (or diner booth) and see her for what she is: a great asset to his office. Desiring to be the Sheriff one day, Donna struggles to be heard and that power struggle goes beyond the confines of the Sheriff's office; she can't get her way when she confronts Emma, twice. Her only hope lies with her ally, Deputy Williams, played by Harold Dennis. Sadly, Williams, however, is inept and winds up getting shot when his naivety gets the best of him.
And speaking of the ending, I was actually surprised with the unexpected arrival of the Sheriff -- and not in a good way, I'm afraid. The ending could've been fine tuned to bolster Frank's character as a master schemer, always one-upping Chance in a game of chess. Instead, he stupidly shoots the sheriff deputy, who knew nothing of Frank's evilness and assumed he was the victim. Seeing that, Frank could've used the deputy's naivety and, once again, gain the upper hand over Chance and, this time, Emma, whose action prior (shooting Frank) could've put her in the spotlight in front of Donna and Williams (had he lived). Imagine if he accused Emma of hiding Chance also in front of them -- all while playing the victim.
And while he plays the victim, this odd thought also sunk into my head: You can't help to feel bad for the guy. Honestly. Emma, of course, is shown to be the victim of his abuse throughout the course of the movie, but Frank endured a lot more than her in the movie alone. While held in the basement, he played no role into killing the gun-for-hire. His hands are clean compared to Chance and Emma, who ultimately shot Frank and lied to the Sheriff and his deputies, claiming Frank took part in the bank robbery. And for what purpose? Frank's already dead, having been shot by Chance, who was then shot by the arrival of the Sheriff. She could've done the right thing and say Chance robbed the bank and now I'm going to clear my mind in Colorado, wink wink. If only we saw Frank lay a finger on Emma. It's hard to tell an audience, let alone show, his aggressive domineering behavior toward her when a simple backhand across the face could've made me root for Emma in the long run. Right now, I can't help but to feel bad for Frank -- despite being a scumbag.
Had Frank succeeded in playing the victim, the Sheriff ultimately would've let Frank go, had he lived, because there's nothing really to pin him on other than Emma's word versus his. What about dragging the body outside with Chance? Well, he wore gloves, so there goes that. The only thing that'll ultimately undo Frank is Lou himself, but, sadly, outside of the movie. Had we seen Lou, or had the movie included Frank's dealing with Lou in the flesh, Frank would've laughed and jeered at Emma that he wasn't arrested. He would've been a free man -- until Lou puts a bullet in him because of his debts. Then, Emma could've laughed her way to Colorado, money bag in hand.
8/10.
Bruce Spielbauer Rocks!
dmowens-3271722 February 2022
An excellent movie full of suspense at every turn! A truly surprise ending that finally brings it all together!
A great story, well told! Wonderful actors work seamlessly and I was especially impressed with award-winning actor Bruce Spielbauer's performance as Sheriff Cooper! Bravo!! Highly recommended!
A great story, well told! Wonderful actors work seamlessly and I was especially impressed with award-winning actor Bruce Spielbauer's performance as Sheriff Cooper! Bravo!! Highly recommended!
And then came the twist..
hd_wolff23 January 2022
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