This seemingly low-budget film masterfully pairs two characters together to create an unlikely bond. When Dennis Nash (played by Andrew Garfield) is evicted from his home by Rick Carver (played by Michael Shannon) he struggles to find his footing in the world, helping Carver as a con-artist in order to provide for himself and his family. Shannon plays a robust role as an unlikeable character, while Garfield plays a character who cannot seem to escape the clutches of Carver. Shannon creates his character through greed, but uses logic and speech to show a new perspective. On the other hand, Garfield hesitates throughout the film, producing the confusion and loneliness of Dennis Nash. Both of these characters are created by two powerful actors who show that they are capable of taking on a dramatic role.
The acting is crucial since the whole film acts as a character study for the duo. Carver starts out in a world of greed and is forced to see a new view from Nash, and Nash starts off as an evicted homeowner who is introduced into a world of greed and corruption. Throughout the film, the powerful writing includes speeches by Carver that show his power. One of my favorite lines was something like "America was built for winners, by winners." This writing gets the audience thinking, showing the influence of Ramin Bahrani. Not only did he direct the film, but he wrote a great story that gives the audience a view of evictions that isn't clear for many viewers. Of course, this included myself.
All of the buildup of the film leads to a remarkable ending (don't worry there are no spoilers ahead). At the very end of the film, the characters are seen for who they really are and what they really believe in. Without spoiling the film, I will say that the end is definitely one of the most powerful endings to a film released so far this year. Bahrani wraps up the story with an ending that conveys a message to the audience and could act as a sort of call to action.
The Bottom Line: The film felt slow for a while, but the acting and story are worth waiting for.
Score: 9/10
The acting is crucial since the whole film acts as a character study for the duo. Carver starts out in a world of greed and is forced to see a new view from Nash, and Nash starts off as an evicted homeowner who is introduced into a world of greed and corruption. Throughout the film, the powerful writing includes speeches by Carver that show his power. One of my favorite lines was something like "America was built for winners, by winners." This writing gets the audience thinking, showing the influence of Ramin Bahrani. Not only did he direct the film, but he wrote a great story that gives the audience a view of evictions that isn't clear for many viewers. Of course, this included myself.
All of the buildup of the film leads to a remarkable ending (don't worry there are no spoilers ahead). At the very end of the film, the characters are seen for who they really are and what they really believe in. Without spoiling the film, I will say that the end is definitely one of the most powerful endings to a film released so far this year. Bahrani wraps up the story with an ending that conveys a message to the audience and could act as a sort of call to action.
The Bottom Line: The film felt slow for a while, but the acting and story are worth waiting for.
Score: 9/10
