Starring: Tobin Bell, Jason Mac, Rebecca Robles
Distributor: Heritage Films
Runtime: 90 mins. Reviewed in Mar 2022
Reviewer: Fr Peter Malone msc
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A desperate young man commits a robbery, invades the home of an old recluse, keeps him hostage. However, bond is created between the two men leaving to confession and admission, regrets, atonement.
To say that this is a home invasion and hostage drama, which is actually true, does not do justice to the film or its themes.
This is a film which is usually categorised as a ‘faith film’, produced for an audience of believers and churchgoers, with some hope that it will touch the hearts of those who do not believe. (Which is a difficulty for many audiences who do not share the faith of so many American audiences, automatically put off by any suggestion of explicit religion, the Bible, prayer, and reacting with a kind of passive-aggressive irksome response – which can be gauged by Googling some of the reactions to this film.)
Which, being said, enables a reviewer to talk about the film in itself. While it presupposes a sympathy towards faith and prayer in its audience, it is comparatively reticent in comparison with other films of its kind. There is a Bible. There is a reference to some verses. And, at the end, wonderful use of that most excellent poem-Psalm, The Lord is my Shepherd.
But the film is also robust, an atmosphere of violence in the opening home invasion sequences and later when some thugs threaten the central character.
The important thing, however, is to focus on the central character, Billy, played with some dignity by Tobin Bell (who is probably best-known to many audiences, and to horror fans, for his role as Jigsaw in the Saw series). Here he is a benign man, older, having served in Vietnam, Silver Star, living alone and isolated. But, as his opening prayer indicates, lifting his eyes to the sky, he is ready for God to take him at any time.
Suddenly, a man with a gun invades his home. The man has been shot, is erratic in his behaviour, abusive, waving his gun, dominating Billy. But Billy tends his wounds, gives him something to eat, does not reveal his presence to the police.
As might be anticipated, most of the film will be the interaction between the two men, the gradual calming of Nick (who eventually reveals his name to Billy), their fishing together, sharing meals, each gradually enabling the other to reveal something of his life, mistakes and failings. And, each of them has a sad story to tell. While Billy tells his story verbally, the screenplay has some quick flashback indications to what has happened with Nick, the robbery, his wife and her pregnancy, faith and prayer, is discussing religion with a minister – negatively.
And, so, the week passes, and the discovery as thugs turn up to threaten Billy, that are property owner in the town wants Billy to sell him his land – with the threat of the thugs burning it down.
There is a dramatic confrontation and quite a dramatic trick in the screenplay which will disturb audiences as they watch it.
At times the screenplay is didactic, Billy instructing Nick, metaphors, stones rippling on the water and consequences. But the dialogue also shows the value of deeper conversation, empathetic listening, the encouragement to confession, self-revelation, the desire for forgiveness, some atonement and reconciliation. Which means that the film can be well used by churches, religious groups, discussions with families, younger audiences.
The film also shows that you can’t judge a screenwriter and director by the character of the character they portray on screen. Jason Mac, long-time actor, has written the screenplay, has directed the film, and plays Nick.
A good example of a faith film.
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