SECOND-STORY MAN A film review by Steve Rhodes Copyright 2011 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): ***
SECOND-STORY MAN is a very satisfying crime drama filled with quite effective atmospherics.
As the film begins, we are introduced to two working class families, both made up of a father, a mother and a daughter. The family that appears to be the hardest working and the most conscientious is headed by Arthur Black (Christopher J. Domig) and Monique Low (Valerie Evering). They live out of their car or in cheap places without stoves. Monique's daughter Maria (Zaira Crystal) is a sweet girl, a real charmer who likes nothing better than passing the time by playing with her little toy car.
Although Arthur used to be the breadwinner of the family, his role now has been downgraded to planner and driver, since he walks slowly with a limp, after an on-the-job accident. He wasn't covered, however, by workmen's comp, since he and Monique work as small-time stick-up artists.
The film's joys come frequently from small things like its preference for snappy staccato dialog. Like someone trying to train a new parrot, Arthur and Monique like to repeat little homilies to each other before a job. "In and out," he tells her, and, "in and out," she says right back. They also like to remind each other that, "We're not bad people."
In contrast, Max Rivers (Danny Hoskins) and his wife Janet (Lindsay Goranson) have a dysfunctional family. Since Max is an alcoholic and is pretty irresponsible, Janet does not like him having his gun near their daughter Holly (Lea Mancarella) even if he has to carry it for his job as a bank guard.
Filled with hauntingly sad music and set in a cold and snowy small town, the film possesses a simple but powerful honesty. It is a nice little film, filled with some fine acting. Most of all, the terrific writing and insightful directing by Neal Dhand is especially to be commended.
SECOND-STORY MAN runs 1:48.
The film is being shown as part of San Jose's Cinequest Film Festival (www.Cinequest.org), which runs March 1-13, 2011.
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