Lonely Joe (2009)

User Rating:

3.5/10   

Director:

Michael Coonce

Writer:

Michael Coonce (writer)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Stay off the Tracks.

Plot:

A reporter finds herself entangled in a mystery after returning to her hometown to find out what happened to her brother and more than thirty people who have disappeared there.

Plot Keywords:

Police | Historical | Independent Film | Character Name In Title

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Erica Leerhsen	...	Michele Connelly
Peter Speach	...	Sheriff Pete Scoggins
David Fine	...	Lonely Joe Gainard
Jody Pucello	...	Deputy Joe
James Zahn	...	Steve Ford
Mike Cauchon	...	Jimmy Connelly
Jaclyn Walsh	...	Lisa Calero
Suzanne VanDeMark	...	Nancy Wallace
John Craddock	...	Rail Boss
Amy Rogers	...	Sue Ford
Carl Kermirski	...	Young Joe Gainard
Erik Bjarnar	...	The Historian
Rebecca Brown	...	Nurse
Ralph Ercolano	...	Psychiatrist
Andrea Fragassi	...	CoWorker

Runtime:

USA:95 min (original version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Company:

Emmemax Films

Trivia:

Michele Connelly's NYC apartment is, actually, Jody Pucello's (Producer) apartment in Solvay.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Michele talks with the Bartender and Sheriff. A piano is heard playing, though you can clearly see that there is no piano in the bar.

Leerhsen's best work to date!

From watching the first few minutes of this you will think you're in for a slasher flick but the film quickly develops into a nicely put together thriller with enough twists and turns to keep the momentum going. The acting is top notch by all with a powerful central performance by Erica, a portrayal of determination and crushing depression, she nails that emotional tone.

Leerhsen once again brings her beauty, grace, and intelligence to the role with some outstanding scenes through the film. One great scene takes place in a nursing home when Michele visits her mom who has Alzheimer's and mistakes Michele for her brother. The shot of Erica with tears building in her eyes is just wonderful to watch and very moving.

There is a scene which I'm sure will be well talked about, that being the shower scene. Yes we get to see Erica in all her glory and this will go down well with a lot of the viewers.

Although never really scary, the movie has some good ideas and the central mystery is a good one and engages the viewer, keeping you interested in the story and what the outcome will be… is there really something supernatural going on, is it some kind of creepy but human plot, or is it all in Michele's head? Of course it's all revealed in the end, in a thrilling and well-executed finale.

In his feature film debut, writer and director Michael Coonce has crafted an entertaining movie which delivers on many levels. What I found interesting is the official website which has 'discovered' notes and poems by Michele which really gives more of an insight into her state of mind. The website also has a time line of missing people along with back stories to some of the characters in the film. A lot of work has gone into this and it shows the passion behind the project.

The cinematography by Alan Smith is striking in places. The film was shot in the Autumn so the woodland shots are nothing short of beautiful. There is also a brilliant shot near the end (last shot in the trailer) which pans on Michele with the sun setting in the background. I really enjoyed the score by James Roome. A bad soundtrack can kill a movie by making scenes seem cheesy but Roome does a great job and brings a lot to the picture.

It's clear why this movie is not mainstream enough for theatres, but it's definitely worthy of a rental or purchase. The film has been entered into several film festivals for early 2009 and I really hope some people get to see this on the big screen.

Lonely Joe is well acted, well scripted, well directed, and above all an intelligent and well constructed thriller. This comes highly recommended! 9/10