Both films explore the coastal city from a little-seen perspective, here delving into its Japanese-American community with a unique eye. Seemed like a strange beginning, then bang the story begins. salvation. I watched, listened and wondered where this story would go next. Injured but alive, the man disappears from the hospital before he can be questioned, though he later calls Paul to thank him and provide the first of many cryptic hints about nefarious doings. 2022 Pitchfork Media Inc. All rights reserved. car, reports on it, drives on, and is stunned when a man bounces off his And it flowed and flowed and flowed. H. John Sloss Is More Hopeful About the Sundance Film Market Than You Might Think, The Oscar Race for Best Picture Has Three Frontrunners as Voting Closes Tuesday, How RRR and Glass Onion Are Trying to Hack the Best Picture Oscar Race, Whered the Color Go? A look at the Man From Reno behind-the-scenes crew and production team. Excellent, well done suspense story, and should have had wider distribution except 1) After the pre-title powerful open the movie drags due to far too much mostly dull character development (with a lot of just talk) that should have been cut. Director/Writer Dave Boyle promised supporters a gripping film noir movie about a Japanese crime writer and a small town sheriff whose paths crossed when they are independently, but unknowingly investigating two strange disapperances miles apart from each other. Teddy goes to Toronto's cabin upon reading the address . But John hair was turning grey. Cinemark Freaked out by too much attention, and possibly something else, Aki hightails (Ironically, thats exactly why lines like this by Lecter never make it into film adaptations of Thomas Harris books. She carries her secrets like a true detective--close to vest. Del Moral and Aki find each other the plot both deepens and thickens. The brilliant Pepe Serna is the aptly named sheriff, Moral, whose calm demeanor and intelligence inspires confidence. And wipe away the shadows from the walls. Here's hoping this charming and well-built movie finds the larger audience it so richly deserves. Plot. Both Reno and Arbogast seem to be repaying a favor, and only halfheartedly so.) hitType: 'event', It begins with an enigmatic man and separately, a crime fiction novelist that seemingly have nothing to do with each other and only deepen into other mysteries as the film progresses. The two stories eventually dovetail. 17 HBO and HBO Max Original Series to Get Excited About in 2023 And Moreover, where's the Pihip. Subtitles (which can not be turned off) are excellent and almost mandatory due to the heavy use of Tokyo dialect/slang. And why? MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of friends gives her a chance to show off some chops-in-deduction, traits the A . On the other hand, Toronto is warned by The Handler that if he does not return the money, she will kill him. How could someone see that many movies in so concentrated a time? The meeting is interrupted when Federal Agents fire shots, spoiling the Venezuelan colonel's plans. In two separate narratives that inform one another, veteran character actor Pepe Serna and Japanese actors Auako Fujitani and Kazuki Kitamura all give career-best performances in parts that afford them time and space to do more than what's usually asked of them. STRONGLY AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! novel, which she tells her publicist will be the last featuring her popular creation, the seemingly Columbo-esque avuncular detective Inspector Takabe. Man From Reno was a New York / Los Angeles release in 2015 on Friday, March 27, 2015. The movie ends on a comic note with Toronto interrupting Teddys online gym class to ask for his car. Several sequences within Dave Boyles film have the olive green tinted lighting of a David Fincher flick, and that directors fascination with laying out the details of a dense investigation is also replicated here. Man from Reno is a 2014 neo-noir crime, drama film starring Ayako Fujitani, Pepe Serna, Kazuki Kitamura and directed by Dave Boyle. Here's what happened. Instead, he cherishes his films stripped-down ambitions to deliver a relatively direct murder mystery and his ability to trump those ambitions with a deft eye for character and tone. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function(event) { San Diego Reader. Boyle patiently doles out the story twists, so that Paul and Aki do not cross paths until the storys midway point. Harper runs back to the house and then looks on with horror as the Green Man breaks his ankle and then seems to grow pregnant, with his belly growing, and then ultimately gives birth to the young adolescent boy (in his exact form). Once home, he finds out his wife Lori (Jasmine Mathews) has left him after finding out that he has been fired from his job. Looking forward to seeing more films in the future, you've won a fan in Australia and will continue my support for your future endeavors. Brighter movie minds than mine can comment on things like the movie antecedents at work here (there are a ton! It stars Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson, along with Kaley Cuoco, Jasmine Mathews, Lela Loren, Pierson Fod, Jencarlos Canela, and Ellen Barkin in supporting roles. The opening scene - driving through fog so thick you can't see three feet in front of you - sets the tone for the rest of the movie; the plot twists and turns so much it's nearly impossible to keep up with all the new information, but it still manages to stay coherent enough that you stay on the edge of your seat, trying to grasp whatever details may stick. I thought that one of the strongest points of the film was the character development, as well as the actors' portrayals. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. }); Good Idea Bad Execution , I didn't mean its a bad movie but it could be much better when a viewer felt bored during the film that means something went wrong that's what what I mean the movie is less than 2 hours but it feels like more than that with all the extra stories and scene that aren't necessary to be added , The film started so well then it began to go down. Man from Reno is a 2014 neo-noir crime, drama film starring Ayako Fujitani, Pepe Serna, Kazuki Kitamura and directed by Dave Boyle.. Coming Soon. Well written, directed and acted it was definitely a stand out on the film festival circuit and the location of San Francisco serves as another character within the film. Why would someone want to see four films in a day in pursuit of that hard-to-convey sensation of those beautiful and magical connections between ideas, storyline, casting and portrayals? She uses her knowledge of crafty detective plotting to steer her investigation in various directions, but the details of her old life of fame are only teased. It turns out that the labyrinthine plot features smuggling, identity theft, alternative medicine and murder. Packed with red-herring subplots and many moving parts, it really requires multiple viewings to understand all that occurs and why as well as to tie up a multitude of what seem to be (but really are not) loose ends. The Man from Toronto Ending Explained, Kevin Hart has found a successful formula with his projects regardless of genre, but it all depends on his co-star. The movie cuts to a press conference in Japan. Okay. because Im aware that there are many contemporary moviegoers who are wired Murf the Surf: Jewels, Jesus, and Mayhem in the USA: Season 1, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 1, Link to Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Link to Golden Tomato Awards: Best Movies & TV of 2022, Link to Christian Slater and Jonathan Kasdan Talk. , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), The Handler (Ellen Barkin) enters the scene as well and the whole group prepares to blow up the Venezuelan embassy. credit for even making the question come up in the first place. A best-selling Japanese crime novelist, Aki Akahori, has a one-night stand with a mysterious man who suddenly disappears. Look up, you might even shred the stars. Teddy (Hart) and Toronto (Harrelson) are defeated by the Man from Miami. To me the two stars of the movie are Ayako Fujitani and Pepe Serna. Ever see at these film festivals these badge wearers with the lanyards, the premium seating, eyes bugged-eyed from all the darkness, the concentration? 'The Man From Toronto' Ending Explained: What happened to Teddy and Toronto. I really wanted to like it - so I did. Dammit! Aug 27, 2015. Score is a bit uneven with themes that range from creative use of one or a few instruments to an overriding (and irritating) scrapping-like buzz apparently meant to signal that danger lies ahead. Expert says it was a 'remarkably clever move', Idaho murders: Bryan Kohberger's neighbor reveals last text message he received from him, Ex-FBI agent suggests Bryan Kohberger may have killed due to 'incel complex', 'Probably killed drug dealers:' Internet finds Bryan Kohberger's ASKfm photo, calls it a 'jumpscare', 'He failed her': Fans shocked by Britney Spears' meltdown at restaurant as husband Sam Asghari walks out. hitType: 'event', Plot. Meanwhile, a famous Japanese mystery writer, Aki (Ayako Fujitani, Steven Seagals daughter), arrives in San Francisco after fleeing her latest book tour. A mystery outside of San Francisco brings together small-town sheriff Paul Del Moral (Pepe Serna), Japanese author Aki Akahori, and a traveler from Reno who soon disappears, leaving behind his suitcase and a trail of questions. The story is based in Mexico City where a former CIA operative swears vengeance on those who committed an unspeakable act against the family he was hired to protect. Related Very cute. Due to their fish-out-of-water status, you can tell each is secretly thrilled the mystery might continue with one another. According to legend, when Raymond Carter was asked by the screenwriters who were adapting "The Big Sleep" (including William Faulkner) who killed one of the many victims (a chauffeur) in the labyrinthine story, he reportedly said that he didn't know himself, and the question remains a matter of . Props to Shiori Ideta for her stone cold delivery of my favourite line in the film, selections of credit music and a great cast that includes some fantastic Japanese actors and a script that kept me guessing. By John DiLillo Jan 6, 2023. Apr 30, 2015. Greetings again from the dark. With Ayako Fujitani, Pepe Serna, Kazuki Kitamura. The Control Devil was after the Chainsaw . Serna, a veteran actor previously in cahoots with Brian De Palma and Clint Eastwood, knows this game top to bottom, and his Sheriff character walks with an exhausted amusement, like Tommy Lee Jones in No Country For Old Men before he turned to complete existential dread. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. Ten months since his last job, Henry resides in a cabin that's barely even accessible by snowmobile. She tells no one and instead simply absconds to . actually keeps the viewer guessing with respect to timelines; as various However, Toronto and Teddy manage to enter the place and what follows is a string of chaos. Reno is a prominent member of the Turks who appears in the Final Fantasy VII series. Just confirm how you got your ticket. Man from Reno was a surprising delight! Strange combination of 60% Japanese with subtitles and 40% English. Wondered if it were a Japanese film? eventAction: 'load' Suddenly, he strikes a pedestrian hard who collides with the windscreen and rolls off. Boyle magnifies that aspect with a lean and gripping thriller about isolation, strangers, and the consequences of fame that satisfies despite some minor plot bumps. }) "Man From Reno" is an intense and absorbing movie that has unexpected twists and turns; with a payoff that is chilling when you realize how easy it would be easy to commit the "real" crime. He has written for a host of other publications and resides in Brooklyn. Toying with a straight razor in her hotel room Cinematographer Richard Wongs compositions are both sumptuous and unnerving, often focused on the isolated protagonists surrounded by empty streets, green fields or stormy grey seas. The actors were fantastic. e track upcoming movies through all stages of film production. While it's true that the endangered exotic turtles in director Dave Boyle's neo-noir potboiler don't live in the sewer or wear masks, they do play a key role in his multiple-plot murder mystery co-written with Joel Clark and Michael Lerner. Teddy has an emotional moment when he reveals to Toronto that the past couple of days with him has inspired him to be a better man. ga('ads.send', { Beguiling Plot Twists, Beautiful SF Closeups, Standout Performances, Interesting Japanese-English neo-noir with second act problems, A Strange Fusion of American and Japanese, Good movie with a lot of twists so concentration is required, Transcending culture and emotions to blend Noir & Cosy mystery genres expertly. Man from Reno is a 2014 neo-noir crime, drama film starring Ayako Fujitani, Pepe Serna, Kazuki Kitamura and directed by Dave Boyle. Whether Man from Reno really manages to fit all the shards and suggestions its strewn along the way into a truly coherent solution is debatable. Director: Dave Boyle. Gravitas Ventures Aki Akahori (Ayako Fujitani) is a successful mystery author from Japan who has decided to call it quits on her current book tour. Story involves the intersection of three unlikely characters: an aging but still dogged sheriff of a small farming town on the outskirts of San Francisco, a reclusive yet popular writer who harbors a deep secret that would shock her fans and a mysterious drifter -- the eponymous Man from Reno. This movie is a great blend of fun and mystery and I would recommend it to any of my friends or family. Even though the macabre final scenes depart from the genres conventions, a few too many questions remain. scene. When it comes to interrogating the meanings and possible subtexts of Men, the new and formidable surrealist horror film from Alex Garland . The moments were filled with poignancy as they were always observing, listening in the moment, and reacting to the moment. Without telling anyone. Not Rated. Friday, March 27, 2015 New York / Los Angeles Friday, April 10, 2015 Expansion. give it. Man From Reno is easily one of the most visually striking films ever made to have an extensive part of its end credits thank its Kickstarter backers. With the rain comes the fog, and through the fog comes a man, a car, another car, a sudden accident, and a lurking mystery. Surely worth a watch or even two to get everything. Director Dave Boyle takes a major step out of his comfort zone with the film and the payoff is immediate. Shes quickly romanced by a handsome Japanese-American fellow (Kazuki Kitamura) who calls himself Akira Suzukiand then he mysteriously disappears from Akis hotel room, leaving his luggage behind. Boyle, who previously made festival favorite White on Rice, plunges his first genre entry into the annals of film noir. That doesnt entirely ring true for the supporting cast though: the script by Boyle, Joel Clarke, and Michael Lerman leaves a wash of exposition for actors like Derrick OConnor, Hiroshi Watanabe, and Skorman to reveal, dragging down the pace in the process. Aki tries her best to track him down Aki's and Paul's paths cross when both realize that they are looking for the same man and Paul tracks her down to her hotel. That's how a woman named Melody ( Sarah Lind) enters his isolated world, crashing her snowmobile close enough to his cabin that he finds her injured body. It is a focus Boyle has explored continuously since his debut feature, Big Dreams Little Tokyo, and in Man From Reno hes found a way to weave those social and political concerns expertly into the plotwhether through a mispronounced Japanese word or a debate aboutproper customs. A murder mystery with a worn premise. a good-humored gravitas that brings to mind Jason Robards, Jr., and Fujitani, A best-selling Japanese crime novelist, Aki Akahori, has a one-night stand with a mysterious man who suddenly disappears. So, he made up a new story in his head about the "Purple Water" or "Purple Lake.". Just when it looks like the top is about to spin out and tumble, the screen cuts to . Man From Reno, an offbeat mystery directed by Dave Boyle, struggles to avoid this hazard, and only partially succeeds. hitType: 'event', and the FIVE STARS! This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. It kind of summed up everything. Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Jurassic Park Movies Ranked By Tomatometer, Golden Tomato Awards: Best Movies & TV of 2022, Christian Slater and Jonathan Kasdan Talk Willow Finale, Allagashs Possible Survival, and Potential Season 2 Stories, Everything We Know About The Mandalorian Season 3. Viewed 4k times. Our story Email Us Call Us: 248.387.9826, USA TODAY • L.A. Times • CBS Detroit • Crains Detroit Business • Corp Magazine. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your account. The movie was originally scheduled to be theatrically released by Sony Pictures but the distribution rights were later sold to Netflix. The victim, a Japanese fellow in his 30s, is out cold. I really enjoyed this movie. This production from noted Japanophile Dave Boyle, however, really surprised me. Her peaceful retreat is soon threatened by various strange men (all played by Rory Kinnear ), who are . There were 7 other movies released on the same date, including Get Hard, Home and White God. Let me say before going any further, the three leading actors were excellent. He brings the fellow to a hospital. A Japanese crime novelist living in San Francisco investigates a real murder mystery. An emphasis on cultural identity most notably sets the film apart from the usual neo-noir crowd. ga('ads.send', { A veteran sheriff squints through his windscreen as he drives down a mist-shrouded road. A fortune teller tells them their future and they try out their fighting skills against a training dummy. The new assassin visits the Venezuelan colonel and gifts him Ms Green's severed thumb. Story involves the intersection of three unlikely characters: an aging but still dogged sheriff of a small farming town on the outskirts of San Francisco, a reclusive yet popular writer who harbors a deep secret that would shock her fans and a mysterious drifter -- the eponymous Man from Reno. pg.acq.push(function() { But if any of his other films do resemble this one, I will definitely make the effort to seek them out. So there are plenty of reviews on this film, but no explanations, so mine will be the latter. Original Language: English. Men is the story of Harper ( Jessie Buckley ), who, after witnessing her husband James (Paapa Essiedu) fall to his death from their apartment building, escapes to the countryside for what she hopes will be a healing and relaxing getaway. His first appearance is in Final Fantasy VII, and he has since appeared in almost every media of the compilation: Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-, Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-, and Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.He also appears in Final Fantasy VII Remake where has has a more prominent role and an . A miffed Handler decides to kill Toronto with the help of a group of assassins. It also demonstrates great films can be made without big stars and budgets. Cinemark Toronto saves Teddy and what follows is a game of survival. In a few suspenseful moments at the door of Akis hotel room, we watch her peer through the peephole at the men knocking on her door, trying to imagine their motivations and how they are caught up in the crime. if(document.querySelector("#adunit")){ Cinematography/lighting = eight (8) stars; other major production values = eight (8) stars; subtitles/credits = ten (10) stars. The Handler enters the scene with heavy ammunition and aims at Teddy and Toronto. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ Meanwhile Sheriff Paul is trying to locate the whereabouts of "The Running Man" - the man he accidentally hit with his car on a foggy night and who later fled from the hospital after stealing a change of clothes. Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & thriller. (One of them, appropriately enough, involves a dead chauffeursomething thats surely no accident.) bathtub, shes clearly in distress. Why did Brian Kohberger leave knife sheath at crime scene? According to legend, when Raymond Carter was asked by the screenwriters who were adapting The Big Sleep (including William Faulkner) who killed one of the many victims (a chauffeur) in the labyrinthine story, he reportedly said that he didnt know himself, and the question remains a matter of dispute among fans. The film begins in a literal fog, as a Northern California sheriff named Paul (Pepe Serna), his vision obscured, encounters an abandoned vehicle by the side of the road one night and then runs down a man (Hiroshi Watanabe) with . Still reading? Miscellaneous items turtles, a matchbox, an ear of lettuce become tantalizing clues, MacGuffins and/or red herrings. Man from Reno: Directed by Dave Boyle. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ 'The Man From Toronto' is available on Netflix. A best-selling Japanese crime novelist, Aki Akahori, has a one-night stand with a mysterious man who suddenly disappears. Diving deep into the macabre mysteries of Christian Bale's new thriller. This Article is related to: Reviews and tagged Man from Reno, Review, Reviews. leg to stand on, or am I taking the movie too personally? And through all this, a set of richly developed characters connect with you, keeping you invested in their story, even if you may not fully understand it. in his 30s, is out cold. Both of the films detective protagonists are conventional in the classical way: one is a sly, intelligent woman trying to flee her past, the other an old time sheriff of a small town with a creased face and fatigued voice. Please do not read on unless you don't mind having the resolution revealed. pg.acq.push(function() { }) I first learned about the "Man From Reno" from Kickstarter when I choose to become a supporter of the movie back in August 2013. Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. Toronto is running his own restaurant but he still holds a grudge against Teddy for destroying his car. The Handler (Ellen Barkin) enters the scene as well and the whole group prepares to blow up the Venezuelan embassy. Visually, Man From Reno looks like the years best mystery thriller. The cast, down to the bartenders, are living in this world and the darker places of the psyche. No, thats stupid and wrong, he tells her. Even as pure entertainment, Man From Reno works only haltingly, due to the confused internal monologue that an onscreen mystery invariably inspires: Wait, but then, so does that mean, and what about? Time spent dwelling on such practical questions is necessarily time not spent being enveloped by a movies singular mood. You're almost there! 'Man from Toronto' on Netflix: Woody Harrelson turned down 'Hunger Games' TWICE, 'The Umbrella Academy' Season 3: Elliot Page 'proud' about how Netflix handled his transition on show. It was very consistent but not in a good way. The actors were I felt living in the moment all the time which only added to the suspense. While driving one night in the fog, Del Moral runs into a man who turns out to be a Japanese national, later disappearing from the hospital, before the sheriff can interview him. Really brutal, engrossing, race-against-time thriller that broke genre ending. Drama, Boyle's been fond of multiracial approaches in his . Coming Soon, Regal Man from Reno rises on the strength of solid performances and a sharp script, adding up to a densely plotted neo-noir with some subtle twists. I was intrigued by the film. Thanks for the rec . I thought the writing and acting were very well done. There are no featured reviews for Man From Reno because the movie has not released yet (). Elsewhere, Aki Akahori (Ayako Fujitani), a successful but glum detective novelist, flees Japan to seek anonymity and quiet in San Francisco. I didn't read any reviews before watching it, just saw it was a mystery/crime and that's the kind of movies I like so I gave it a shot. document.querySelector("#ads").addEventListener('click',function(){ viewer is meant to believe she imbues her fictional creation with. This crops up in scenes where Akis ties to Japan clash with her former college friends in San Francisco, most of whom knew quite a different person in school. Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Copyright Fandango. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". eventAction: 'render' Makima as seen in the anime (Image via MAPPA) Chainsaw Man Part 1, dubbed the Public Safety Saga, ends with Denji defeating Makima, aka the Control Devil. I'm a huge fan of noir films, and I was curious how this American-Japanese bilingual film's take on the elusive genre would turn out. By the way, could anyone explain why in a couple of scenes the (admittedly very decorative) female lead was shown toying with a cut-throat razor? }); 'The Man from Toronto' is an action comedy film directed by Patrick Hughes. However, despite a controlled narrative and heavy atmosphere for the first two-thirds, the last 30 minutes of the film are rushed through, with extraneous exposition that could have been more effective shown instead of told. Dislocation is a constant for nearly every character, and when they gather its with hesitance and one eye on the door. Since initial funding came from crowd sourcing, several hundred contributors are also listed. Related Another chapter in the John Oldman arc. 1. ga('ads.send', { They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. Pepe Serna plays Paul Del Moral, a sheriff in a small town south of San densely, plotted mystery/thriller that casts an unusual spell from its opening 7/10. He . One tenet of the genre featured in the film is two separate stories coming together. Im giving this movie half a star more than I really want to Distractions and red herrings that work fine in print, where one can reread key passages as necessary (or just pause to think), can make a picture that never stops moving feel laborious, which is why a classic of the genre like The Big Sleep treats its complicated plot with cavalier disregard. Film Review: 'Man From Reno'. DP Richard Wong (Snow Flower and the Secret Fan) handsomely photographs the shift between locales, lending sunburned wheat fields a magic-hour sheen and the signature city streets of San Francisco a hazy blanket of fog. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. Man from Reno felt at once like a throwback to great 1940s noir mysteries like The Big Sleep, while also being remarkably relevant in 2015. MAN FROM RENO. The mix of Japanese and English worked very well. Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified. Finchers Zodiac. Legitimate avenues, arguably, but I have to admit, as a That synopsis makes Man From Reno sound a lot more straightforward than it actually is. The film held my attention every single frame. Those overjoyed when they read a crackling good mystery will find much to enjoy in Man From Reno not surprising considering the main character is a noted author of the genre. Just seen on big theatre screen. Movie Insider is a registered service mark of The Movie Insider LLC. Film Noir, which often united the darker impulses of America post- WWII with an exhausted, disillusioned Europe, showed the world was both smaller and larger than mere borders. hitType: 'event', And what we can conclude from ending of this movie. Much of it is set in San Francisco, that twisty, foggy city by the sea that has housed the works of Raymond Chandler and Alfred Hitchcock. Well done to Dave and the team at Tiger. Aki Akahori is a highly successful mystery writer in Japan who skips out on her latest publicity tour for her newest novel because she feels like a fraud. IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. },false) But it is talented Ayako Fujitani as the lionized author whom we want to know better. ga('ads.send', { fans ought to check it out post haste. Garland has been directing films since 2014, with his debut feature Ex Machina making quite a mark on audiences and critics . Scroll down to learn how the movie ends. The first focuses on small town sheriff Paul Del Moral, played by character actor Pepe Serna. Hence, my eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Boyles screenplay, which he co-wrote with Joel Clark and Michael Lerman, pays tribute to the wit and panache of classic sleuths. He said that when animals get hurt, they go to the "Purple Lake" to get better. The ending of The Man From Toronto sees Kevin Hart's character attempt to stop a political assassination and stay alive, resulting in a chaotic finale. But they can be forgiven in a film that can be frustrating in its steadfast refusal to be clear about whos who, but by the end has become an effective neo-noirish parable about how slippery and shifting the truth is. I certainly recommend this film. Interviews with leading film and TV creators about their process and craft. me. Her books, a semi-famous detective series in Japan, gain an immense cult following when she flees the country for San Francisco without saying a word. Once Dave Boyle again proves he is the King of Indie film-making with a continuous run of great films. A small-town sheriff, Paul Del Moral accidentally runs into and knocks down a man late at night on an isolated road. }); Both characters are welcome for how they reference traditional tropes of detective fiction, although neither Aki (who gets more screen time) nor Paul transcend the genre trappings. gads_event = event; The acting can only be described as sluggish and underplayed to a torpor-inducing point. }); My rating would have been higher, but for what I thought the ending had some questions that weren't answered. Smart, multi-faceted mystery thriller with plenty of twist and turns. The cast contributes to the feel of the piece, with veteran Sernas regular-guy geniality complementing Fujitanis dour determination nicely and Kitamura giving Suzuki a dose of real charisma. He disappears the next morning, leaving behind only a suitcase with clothes and a head of lettuce. Crime, This is stellar pulp storytelling with a twist, blending fine performances from Ayako Fujitani (Tokyo!) and Pepe Serna (Scarface) with an evocative view of Californias Bay Area. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. By creating an account, you agree to the When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an commission. Convention and what I consider acceptable ways of Breaking Genre Convention. Netflix ratings have been weird lately. Their acting just took me into the story. It had a great twist at the end. What I can relate is that coast-to-coast smile that came over me as the movie found its gear (early) and then just held for an hour and a half as it propelled forward with one crackling and comedic plot twist after another. Glenn Kenny was the chief film critic of Premiere magazine for almost half of its existence. window.adsContainer = 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"From" Season 1: Plot Summary - What Is The Series About?