Final Recourse

This was a solid movie. The performances were good throughout. One weak actor can ruin a movie, but there were none. Teri Polo was very good in a difficult role. Chaz Palminteri is always compelling. He manages to bring honesty to every role and underplays beautifully. The writing was clever, and a nice departure from what normally passes as a thriller. The screenwriter did a nice job of conveying a lot without repetition. Good use of misdirection. I thought the score could have been better - it felt inserted at times. Most importantly, though, the story flowed well and accomplishes the key task of any film - it keeps the viewer wanting to know what will happen next.

A total waste of 90 minutes. This movie was so predictable, it reminded me of a bad lifetime network afternoon movie.

Taken for Ransom/ Final Recourse is a thrilling drama about a wife (actress Tio Polo playing Brooke) who is driving her young son and gets into a car accident that results in the son's death. Brook then enters a deep depression as she can't get over being responsible for his death. She becomes unproductive at work and eventually is toxic for her young daughter and husband, who are already going through enough mourning their loss. Booke later get's kidnapped and held for ransom, until a couple of unexpected twists take the movie from good to great. Overall, the movie had the perfect amount of unpredictability and drama. I highly recommend it.

Over the opening credits, a woman appears to be running for her life. She turns out to be multi-millionaire mom Teri Polo (as Brooke Holton). Following a tragedy for which she blames herself, Ms. Polo takes comfort in pills, alcohol and cigarettes. Loving husband Matt Socia (as Albert Fuentes) and tightly-clothed co-worker Tia Carrere (as Michelle Gaines) are worried. Polo goes through professional psychoanalysis, but it doesn't work. She makes bad decisions at work, burns breakfast and drunkenly drops her birthday cake on the lawn. Her stupor also makes Polo vulnerable to stalking kidnappers...

"Final Recourse" aka "Taken for Ransom" almost works. Watching it a second time will reveal the story's breaking point – a point-of-view error at about the 20 minute mark; listen for the line, "Rats leaving the sinking ship," and the cocking of a gun. Oddly, there are a couple of places where a little extra editing would have made a scene like this fairly consistent with the ending. Still, the basics of an engaging story are there. Most engrossing is the plight of Polo and younger victim Luke Eberl (as William "Will" Graves) in a deserted gymnasium. Directed by Barbara Stepansky, they are quite captivating.

***** Final Recourse/ Taken for Ransom (12/16/13) Barbara Stepansky ~ Teri Polo, Matt Socia, Lucas Elliot Eberl, Chazz Palminteri

I enjoy a good psychological thriller. This one has it all: suspense, challenging plot twists, good writing that keeps you guessing every step of the way.

The ending was interesting and tied all the other parts of the movie together.

The acting was excellent, and the dialogue keeps you on the edge of your seat.

So sit back, grab the bucket of popcorn, and wait for the thrills to start.

The movie has a great deal of adrenaline rushes. And so often, what you think, is not.

When they disclose at the end of the movie the who's whos, many will be surprised and shocked.

So get your blanket out, stay warm, and enjoy the movie.

Definitely worth your time to see.