9/Tenths (2006)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Bob Degus

Writer:

Michele McGuire (screenplay)

Release Date:

28 August 2008 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

How far would you go to survive?

Plot:

A wealthy couple battles a poor laborer over the rights to a small ranch house, but events take a shocking turn after an enormous terrorist attack cuts the three off from civilization. |

Plot Keywords:

House | Terrorist Attack | Moving In | Horse | Caretaker

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Gabrielle Anwar	...	Jessica
Henry Ian Cusick	...	William
Dave Baez	...	Elias (as Dave Ortiz)
Cole S. McKay	...	Interloper #1 (as Cole McKay)
Richter Hartig	...	Interloper #2
Jessica Marshall-Gardiner	...	Radio Announcer #1 (voice) (as Jessica Hathaway)
Moira Squier	...	Radio Announcer #2 (voice)
Jeff Kerr McGivney	...	Radio Announcer #3 (voice)
Nell	...	Elias' Dog

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Company:

Film Medici LLC

Courageous and provocative

I was given the tremendous honour of previewing this film. This is a piece of work that I have patiently been waiting 2+ years to see, and I was not disappointed in any way. Ms. McGuire has written, and Mr. Degus has delivered, a contemporary sketch of humanity stripped down to the essentials.

This is a story of two men and one woman, fending for themselves in the aftermath of significant terrorist attacks on major cities in the US. The viewer voyeuristically watches the layers of humanity peel back. The sense of entitlement gives way to desperation for basic human needs.

It's an unsettling concept to consider ourselves becoming refugees of sorts...so much so, the average person refuses to even entertain such an idea. This film provokes those thoughts...just how far would you go?

While the suggestion was being made, the lesson being learned, I was thoroughly entertained by the fierce and intense performances of this trio of actors. They bled their roles. On so many levels and at different times you loved and hated each character. Their ability to evoke those emotions is a testament to the performers' deep-seated talents, and the skill of their director to elicit that intensity from each actor for their character.

The setting, simple yet sufficient, was the fourth character. It leant much to the tale at hand, at times becoming more important than the people inhabiting it. The music was the fifth and most poignant character, drawing out the passion of the subject matter in a very subtle manner.

9/Tenths cannot be categorized as a "feel good" movie. Yet it's an important story portrayed in a bold, skillful and artistic manner. I highly recommend this film.

Mianne Tripp, RN