NOWHERE MICHIGAN (2018)

Directed By: Robert Vornkahl 
Written By: Andrew Beguin 
Cinematography: Brian C. Harnick 
Editor: Mike Api & Robert Vornkahl 


Cast: Tequan Richmond, Jenna Boyd, Christina Scherer, Ashlie Atkinson, Richard Riehle, Seth Kirschner 


David is fleeing from a murder, a pair of deadly con-men, and is inadvertently toting a bag full of crystal meth and cash with him. On the run, he ends up in a small, frozen, nowhere town in the heart of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.


Decided to take a look at this film which is more independent and making the rounds on streaming services. The trailer for this film intrigued me.

This film could easily be called quirky, laid back or off beat.

This might remind some of the audience of FARGO of having a quirky Midwest small town that has a crime story in the middle of it. Only here we get to see it more from the criminals side only.

That begins with a young man on the run with a bag full of money and drugs with killers on his tail. As it deals with a fish out of water scenario at first but he finds his footing or rather his flow of things while trying to lay low. Eventually the characters past slowly gets filled in.

The film stays a bit unpredictable. Especially when it comes to the murderous kingpins who come off more as men of the world who have chosen not to play by the rules. They and the characters are what keep your interest up and separates the film from the many cliches it could have gone with. As the film feels like some have seen before yet manages to keep itself fun. The cast are all game and commendable as each has something special to their characters that work even in the smaller roles.

There is not much action until the third act but there is plenty of atmosphere and local color so to speak.

We watch as the main character is in over his head yet seems to Have enough figured out. So while we think we are learning things as he does. He seems to have most things figured out as he ends up setting up ship while trying to start somewhat new

The film allows for a comedic turn around every serious corner. You can see the films influences. Through it all there is a kind of romance that is unconventional but at lest feels a bit more realistic then most films dealing with this type of situation.

When the grip tightens the movie kicks into a higher gear but manages the twists and turns and comes out alright.

The film is a little rough around the edges though you come to expect they with lower budgeted movies. Thigh here smooth direction and follow through helps soothe those edges right out. Leaving a very earnest film

Though familiar it still manages to have a few surprises.