Been a while since I've seen one like this! I went in knowing nothing. I didn't recognize any of the actors (with the exception of Chazz Palminteri) or the director, I just took a chance. Wow, am I glad I did! This was a very good picture in the mode (slightly) of Pulp Fiction. The hero is a bad guy and the bad guys are really bad (two sets of them) and we just want him to survive, though we keep wondering WHY! Joey Gazelle is a minor wise guy for a New Jersey "family". During a major drug for money exchange, Joey and the gang are robbed by some crooked cops. A very vicious gun battle ensues (in one room) and one of the police is killed by Joey's boss. As they flee the scene, Joey is given the job of disposing of the gun and is told to "NOT mess it up!" Before he can do this, an abused and beaten child from next door sees where he hides the gun, takes the gun and shoots his vicious stepfather. The kid runs away and Joey must find him and the gun before the mob can find out that he DID, "mess it up!" The gun changes hands many times with Joey always a step behind, dodging the cops, his mob and the Russian mob. The chase is on and it takes Joey and young Oleg (the kid next door) to some strange places, some VERY strange places. Where do I start? The story, though a little complex and at times has us scratching our heads, is well written and comes completely together when finished. The direction by Wayne Kramer (?) was excellent and if this is an example of his style, he will never be confused with other directors. The acting goes from good to very good. Vera Farmiga as Teresa, Joey's wife, deals out some instant justice that draws applause. Oleg, played by Cameron Bright (The Butterfly Effect---2004), was a role of a kid 10 forced to survive the adults trying to kill him, and worse! The stand out performance was Paul Walker (Varsity Blues---1999) as Joey. We, the audience, were totally convinced that he was an absolute bad-ass. Fearless! We like him. This story gets faster, grittier and darker and just sucks us in. It builds and builds until it comes to a climax that I never saw coming. I loved it! "John Wayne was a faggot!" RECOMMENDATION: Not for the faint of heart, but if you want a hard, harsh story of crime, and yes, punishment, THIS is your picture. Leave the kiddies at home! Rated R for violence, nudity, violence, drugs, violence, language, violence, sexuality and EXTREME violence. (There was also some GRAPHIC violence, too!) TWO BLOOD LUST, DON'T KNOW WHO TO TRUST, THUMBS UP!!! DRIPPIN'! (Sam Peckinpah would be proud!) Movie Review © 2006 by Terry Anderson |
