The Business (2004) (V)

User Rating:

8.4/10   

Director:

Bruce D. Millet

Writer:

Ken MacGray (writer)

Release Date:

17 May 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Short

Tagline:

Blood is thicker than water.

Plot:

As the latest heir to a way of life handed down to him from his father and his grandfather, a young man struggles to fulfill his family obligations...

Cast

Gunnar Hansen	...	Grandfather
Dwight E. Schultz	...	Young Man
Bruce D. Millet	...	Father
Jessica Philbin	...	Girlfriend (as Jess Philbin)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ses Carny	...	Dreammaster
Brian Chamberlin	...	Drug Dealer #2
Ed Chiburis	...	Man on phone
Eric Guntor	...	Suicide Boy
Jasmine Hughes	...	Suicide Girl
Caitlin Mahan	...	Candy
Rob Marin	...	Bar Patron
Ruth Phelps	...	Fortune Teller
A.J. Rathbun	...	Drug Dealer #1
Mark Santoro	...	Man in Park

Runtime:

USA:32 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Company:

Zero Budget Productions

solid low budget flick

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

The Business is a unique take on a semi-familiar story. It is rooted around the pressures of a son being forced to carry on the tradition of the family. Many sons are forced to endure the perils of law or medical school where the rewards are successful careers with monetary benefits, in the Business the main character is faced with a different scenario. His legacy leaves him with the job of a hired assassin. The reason this film works is because the length provides a glimpse into an underworld of crime. A personal favorite of the movie is the scene shot at the prison representing the inner turmoil of someone whose profession is taking the lives of others. The shot where actor Dwight Schultz is standing in front of an iron gate is highly representative of the emotions that many go through on a daily basis, feeling trapped in a world that is seemingly out of control. The cinematography is impressive under the conditions that the film crew had to work with. In a previous post the writer has bashed this film in attempts of taking away from the credibility and artistic aspect of the film. True the movie appears to be low budget, because it is. If this movie were made by Spielberg then I could understand where the harsh critique would come from, but any slams on this film are unwarranted. I also would want to comment on what was said about Gunnar Hansen's role as the Grandfather. Rather than saying that the only reason that the part was created for the use of Leatherface, I believe that it should be applauded that such a film would be able to recruit such a well established actor. The other reason that I think the character works is because it is important to show the family pressure that is being placed on the Young Man. Without the heritage aspect delivered by the Grandfather it would seem that this was just a case of a Father trying to impose his thoughts on his son. Much like Firemen or Military services there is an established tradition that comes with this man's profession. Overall I would say that this film has the potential to be something great if the right equipment and budget were available. The artistic talent is there, what is really needed is the monetary support.