Tag: deadfall

Tribeca 2012 Review: DEADFALL

DEADFALL is bound to get comparisons to FARGO. With a few minor script tweaks and slightly different accents, this could have been passed off as a direct to DVD sequel. It is not that there are any similar characters or storylines but more so in the look and feel of the film. Had this been FARGO 2, I’d call it a worthy successor although I’m sure others will want my head on a platter (or my body in a woodchipper) for saying that. Prior to seeing the film, I heard some strongly negative feedback and was even told to avoid it completely by someone who attended an earlier press screening. Since then I’ve noticed a slew of negative reviews calling it an absolute mess and much worse. Honestly, I don’t know why everyone is ranking on this film so much because I loved the hell out of it.

DEADFALL opens with a car crash. Addison (Eric Bana) and his sister Liza (Olivia Wilde) make it out alive but their driver is not so lucky. Addison kills the first cop on the scene while Liza stuffs a bag full of the scattered money they just stole from a casino. They decide to split up as they each attempt to make it across the border. Addison ends up killing his way through the woods and Liza uses her looks to secure a ride with Jay (Charlie Hunnum) to his family’s cabin near the border. It is Thanksgiving and he is going to see his mom (Sissy Spacek) and dad (Kris Kristofferson) despite their strained relationship. Problem is Jay just got out of prison and may have accidentally killed a former business partner who refused to give him the money he owes. Addison faces some obstacle himself with the police after him investigating the murder of the trooper he killed. Despite the wishes of her father / police chief  (Treat Williams), among the search party is the very capable Hanna (Kate Mara) who just so happens to be old friends with Jay and his family.

Believe it or not, there are even more side stories and important characters that I’ve chosen to excise for time. Yes, the film is convoluted. Yes, it has moments of needless complications and mass coincidence. Yes, it can be a bit campy and has heavy-handed moments that feel a bit forced. Yes, the fairly incestuous relationship between Addison and Liza is a bit weird. Yes, the insanely sexist attitudes within Hana’s police department feel horribly outdated. Yes, I’m starting to see why some people didn’t like this film after typing all that.

But none of that really matters because DEADFALL is damn fun. And the single biggest aspect that will suck you in and keep you watching no matter how ridiculous things get is Eric Bana. If this film came out before KNOCKED UP, this would be the movie they were all toasting to in the nightclub. Eric Bana’s performance is brilliantly twisted and wildly unhinged without ever going too far over the top. Addison is a badass who does some truly awful things with a wink and a smile. The film has plenty of other great things going for it like some wonderful visuals, thrilling action set pieces, the beautiful Kate Mara, and unnecessary Olivia Wilde nudity. But the only real reason you need is ERIC F***ING BANA!

Jerry Cavallaro – @GetStuck – JerryCavallaro.com

Tribeca 2012 Daily Recap: April 26th

Today was a fairly solitary experience at Tribeca. No industry cocktails or drinks with filmmakers. Just 3 films, a few press lounge pitstops for free Magnum ice cream and a few moments of conversation with Jeremy Wein from ThisMyShow.net.

ANY DAY NOW may have a story that seems fitting for a Lifetime Movie of the Week but that doesn’t change the fact that it is a incredibly well crafted film full of surprisingly powerful performances. Despite being set in the late 70s, it shares an important message that is still relevant today. The film never feels too heavy-handed and has some funny comedic beats sprinkled throughout. While it didn’t get my tear ducts flowing, quite a few people left the theater with tissues in hand so it appears I was not the only one moved by it. With less than 5 minutes until my next screening, I went straight to the next film. I had originally planned to see JACK & DIANE but after hearing some less than stellar critiques, I opted for something a little more light-hearted.

LOLA VERSUS is the story of Lola (Greta Gerwig) who is dumped by her fiancé right before her wedding so she sleeps with a couple of guys and bitches about love while trying to find herself. I am oversimplifying it but this is a perfect example of the type of comedies I complained about yesterday. The film is entertaining but it just felt like everyone was trying way too hard. While some of the dialogue is genuinely witty, other moments felt completely forced. I am a huge fan of pop culture references in dialogue (as known by anyone who has seen any of my work) but it needs to fit naturally into the conversation or it runs into the danger of coming across as a desperate attempt to seem hip. Overall, the film had a general feeling that it was made by indie-minded creatives trying to appeal to both mainstream and arthouse audiences. In my opinion, some of it worked but more of it didn’t.

Regardless of the film, I would like to commend Daryl Wein on his passion for the project. He apparently showed up to the press screening for a Q & A which I’ve never heard of anyone actually doing for press. Unfortunately, it was not announced and nearly everyone was already gone so he just left. It is too bad because I would have been interested in hearing what he had to say and possibly chatting with him about the film. If it is any consolation Daryl, I once did a Q & A via Skype for my film STUCK LIKE CHUCK where only 3 people stayed after the film. Yeah, that probably doesn’t change anything. I still commend him for the effort. Following the screening and a super quick lunch at my new favorite TFF dining establishment, 2 Bros. Pizza, I rushed back to Chelsea Clearview Cinemas for my final film of the day.

DEADFALL is bound to get comparisons to FARGO. With a few minor script tweaks and slightly different accents, this could have been passed off as FARGO 2. It is not that there are any similar characters or storylines but more so in the look and feel of the film. This is not a criticism but merely an observation. In fact, if this were FARGO 2, I would call it a pretty worthy follow-up. It is fast-paced, witty, and beautifully twisted. Eric Bana gives a stunning performance as truly compelling villain. Some fellow press members told me that the film was not worth my time but it ended up being one of my favorites of the festival so far.

Lesson of the DAY: We press people don’t know shit sometimes… Also, when the hell did Bill Pullman get so old?

Jerry Cavallaro – @GetStuck – JerryCavallaro.com