Loanshark (1999) User Reviews

Independent film-making at it's best

[man_with_a_camera · 14 September 2006]

Great indie flick. The dialogue is "right on" and the acting is first rate. The soundtrack perfectly fits the action too. The cinematography is stunning and crystal clear. The seedy characters really help bring the story to life. I can see the Bad Lieutenant similarities. It's that intense. A definite throwback to the films of the 40's and 50's. The lead actor has the screen presence of a young Robert Mitchum or Alan Ladd. Other indie films like Clerks were barely entertaining compared to Loanshark's incredible realism and on the move film-making. Very good use of local Hollywood locations too. I recognized many buildings and streets. I look forward to seeing more films from the filmmaker.

This film is right up there with MEAN STREETS and TAXI DRIVER!!!

[OneManBand2 · 10/10 · 21 August 2003]

Bought a video of this film in Brooklyn for $5. What a steal! It's a 90's version of MEAN STREETS. But instead of a whole bunch of hoods, it's about this one, mean S.O.B. with a chip on his shoulder the size of the national debt. He is a walking, stick of dynamite that's ready to explode! This "masterpiece of street-violence" was shot, hand-held style, on the streets of Hollywood, California. It moves like a mack truck coming down a one-way street at 200 M.P.H!!! I highly recommend it...if you can ever find it!

"LOANSHARK" will blow you away!

[giant_robot_63 · 10/10 · 5 April 2005]

A brilliant slice of in-your-face cinema. A powerful and electrifying film in the same vein as "Scarface", "GoodFellas" and "Bad Lieutenant". A tour-de-force by lead actor Charlie Santore and Writer-Director, Jay Jennings. The soundtrack is a mixture of gangster/hip-hop and psychedelic instrumentals that will have you on the edge of your seat. They just don't make raw, black and white, film noir anymore. With it's stark images, dark clouds and an overall feel of doom and gloom, this unique film reaches deep inside your gut and twists it like a pretzel. I caught "LOANSHARK" at a film festival and it's by far one of the 10 best indie films I've ever seen. Look for it! (Jim W.)