Directed by: Fred Durst
Written By: Peter Elkoff
Cinematography By: Alex Nepomniaschy
Editor: Eric L. Beason
CAST: Jason Ritter, Jesse Eisenberg, Chris Marquette, Eva Amurri, Sebastian Stan, Dennis Boutsakaris
This is a movie that strives to be something special to have a message, But it has nothing new really to say. Fred durst as a director doesn't really put a fresh spin on anyhting or have any specific flourishes. He doesn't embarass himself. It feels like a film that could have been done by any director. In fact it feels like a lifetime movie almost with a few racy scenes. Only the action is centered on men instead of women.
The plot feels like a basis for a young adult novel, as it tells the story of Charlie Banks who grows up hearing the legend of Mick a brutal tough guy who he witnesses beat 2 guys mercilessly at a party. Leaving them near dying. after visiting them in the hospital Charlie decides go to the cops as a witness. Then he decides to recant his story due to being best friends with one of mick's closest friends and learning the code of the street. Charlie more or less comes from more of a upper class background. When Charlie Goes off to college Mich all of a suddenshows up to stay with his roommate and the best friend they share in common. Mick is on the run and he ends up Stealing the girl charlie is in love with.
The film has some originality, The scenes of violence are very brutal for a film of this sort.
The thing that really saves the movie from failing completely is the acting. Jason Ritter is really good as the brutal and surprisingly not stupid Mick. He make sthe character human and shows his delicate side. So you can see why people like himdespite his ways and urges. Jesse Eisenberg is good though he usually plays this type of role. He just happens to play it well.
The best parts of this movie are the early scenes, Where there is a tension running through them. In these scenes we in tha audience and charlie Don't kow if mick knows that charlie ratted him out or not all those years before and is he just playing with him untilthe right moment, or does he not really know. I will admit Charlie's Wimpiness got a little annoying until he finally started making a stand for himself.
Like the Film OBSESSED you know somewhere in this movie a fight or showdown was going to have to happen and it doesn't disappoint. It's not over the top it is more realistic then anything.
The film at times tries too hard. Like the book Mick Reads throughout the film THE GREAT GATSBY. Which has parallels to this films plot. A outsider trying to mix in with the upper crust fallingin love with a high society woman and when you fall out of flavor howquickly those so called friends turn.
SPOILER
i thought the film would have been more interesting, But not as emotionally satisfying. if Mick Knew Charlie ratted him out and did all of this to get back at him, Stealing his crush, mixing in with his friends better then charlie ever could. Like initially he was just going to beat him but decided messing with his head and life was better.
SPOILER END
It's not a bad film and can be enjoyed as a rental. IT's just not that good either. It is not as special as it thinks and strives to be
GRADE: C
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