Just perfect...

Great Film overall

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

With lack of funds and just released from hospital care, Nat Banyon(Lucas Black), leaves a bar fight via stolen car. Nat is heading to a job on an ostrich farm in Wyoming. He saves the life of Herman Finch(Peter Coyote), who owns a rundown motel in the tiny town of Deepwater. Finch actually seems to have the whole town cowing in fear of him. Finch offers to buy Nat a car in return for painting his motel. The young man is willing and even more so distracted by Finch's young wife Iris(Mia Maestro). The more time he spends in Deepwater, Nat realizes things may be shadier than they seem. What no one knows is the young drifter has a dangerous dark side. The cast also features: Michael Ironside, Lesley Ann Warren and Kirsten Bell. If the bartender looks familiar...he is Dee Snider of the hard rock band Twisted Sister.

brian aldiss once wrote that images from science fiction stories can stay with you for years. but that going back and re-reading the story will often lead to disappointment. this movie is not science fiction, but it will stay with you. and you don't have to watch it twice to be bored by it! what a twist!there are a number of movies like this. boring, but worth watching for images they leave with you. it's just a shame that they can't be enjoyed while viewing them.a better structured movie could also leave images with you AND entertain at the same time.but where does the blame lie? was the original novel at fault? or has the screenwriter done a bad thing?i for one can't be bothered to find out.

Where was I when this movie came out? I don't' remember it EVER coming out. But I was at the DVD rental store and saw this movie, and since all I wanted was to lie down and vegetate, I rented it because the cast was interesting and I thought I'd give it a try. It seemed like a big mistake at first. The first 45 minutes had me reaching for a magazine to read at the same time, because I was sure I knew what was going on, and some of the characters seemed, well, stupid. And I hate stupid characters... but after seeing it in it's entirely, it has really stuck with me. Rent it, hang in there, and you'll be in for a treat.

I wonder if the reviewer I'm thinking of even watched the film. Like, for instance, not realizing that Nat got the car keys from the guy who was beating the crap out of him in the bar. And set in Louisiana? Sheep farm? Sheesh.OK, it was a bit disjointed in places, but not so much that anybody paying attention couldn't follow the action. The main thing, for this type of movie, is to keep you guessing. This it did, right up to the end. Peter Coyote was brilliant, and Lucas Black got it pretty spot on as well. All the supporting cast were top notch.The trouble with any film that relies on a surprise ending is that it rarely invites repeat viewings. Alas, such is the case here. Otherwise, I would've given it one or two more stars. But it gave me a good ride, and that's all I expected. I'll be looking for more from this director.