Susan Granger’s review of “Down and Dangerous” (The Sabi Company)
One of the major dilemmas facing moviegoers these days is caused by something we ordinarily think of as a good thing: democratization. Years ago, it was very expensive to make a movie. Now, anyone with access to a cellphone, digital equipment and investor friends can churn out a standard-length feature film. Utilizing crowd-funding, more than 5,000 movies were made last year, although only 603 were released theatrically. This Kickstarter-subsidized $38,000 crime thriller is one of them.
Smuggler Paul Boxer (John T. Woods) is a seasoned pro. Working alone, refusing to carry a gun and changing names as often as other people change T-shirts, he devises ingenious ways to bring Colombian cocaine to Los Angeles. When one of his dealers is shot in the head, Paul’s investigation leads him to crazed hitman Henry Langlois (Ross Marquand), who works for drug cartel kingpin Rafael Garza (Ernest Curcio). Perhaps it’s pure coincidence that Rafael just happens to be living with Paul’s ex-girlfriend, Olivia Ivarra (Paulie Rojas) – and she’s still pining for Paul. Meanwhile, a DEA agent (Luis Robledo) is on their trail and there’s one more stash to retrieve before Paul can retire. And so it goes.
Based on Robert Sabbag’s non-fiction “Snowblind” about Zachary Swan’s exploits from 1970-72, it’s illogically and incoherently scripted by Zak Forsman and ineptly edited by Jamie Cobb, making for mind-numbing confusion on the part of the viewer. James T. Woods makes an interesting antihero, and it’s remarkable to spot Judd Nelson as his father/advisor in a couple of scenes. Unfortunately, seemingly anorexic Paulie Rojas must have been told once too often that she resembles a young Audrey Hepburn because she takes the gamine impersonation two steps too far, aided and abetted by cinematographer Addison Brock II. While Rojas’ acting is shallow and superficial, her makeup and coiffure are noticeably – and improbably – impeccable.
On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Down and Dangerous” is a tedious 2, even for a low-budget, indie film.
