focoproject.com

• Director: Rian Johnson
• Genre: Crime/Drama/Mystery
• Year: 2005

I had had my eyes on this from the very beginning. Long before the previews came out…in fact, since all Focus had on their website was a synopsis. The idea sounded simply intruiging and seeing the final result I can honestly that they achieved what they set out to make, a film noir for the younger generation. Unfortunately Misery beat me to reviewing it This is another one of those that I saw a while ago and due to a busy schedule forgot to review, but better late than never.

As far as this film goes, it will take a slight adjustment. True to its origins, the dialogue is sharp, quick and witty, over dramatized with a number of over complicated words and over-the-top slang that sound cool but nobody would ever use all in one sentence, let alone a bunch of high schoolers. That may sound like I am ragging on it, but I am not. The effect is actually pretty positive, making for some intruiging dialogue and interaction. It also revolves with rapid fire pace around so many characters that it may make your head spin and if there is a draw back to this movie it is this. There is so many different currents and so many names to memorize that one can often lose themselves trying to keep track of every twist and every name brought up, specially since everybody seems to have their hand in this pot and they all play a role in the final outcome. That, however, should not discourage anybody from seeing it. If you miss something, that is what the rewind button is there for.

All in all, this thriller is a well paced movie, that keeps you with peeled eyes for all the small details that amount to a solid feature, packed with pretty decent acting, some humor and some really cool shots as well. Also worth noting was the editing, which I felt was above par. However, as one can expect from a movie acted almost entirely by teenagers only…the ball is dropped here and there when it comes to acting. That too, should not discourage anybody from seeing it. In the end I still throught it was pretty damned solid.

Rating: 4 out of 5
Notes: Some language, violence and adult situations
Quote: Brendan Frye: I’ve got knives in my eyes, I’m going home sick.