Overrated

Don't listen to the negative reviews

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

I watched this movie solely for Teresa Palmer's presence. I didn't really expect much going in other than a watchable thriller. I didn't even get that. It was technically watchable, but it lacks suspense and surprises. Oddly enough, the acting is fine. But there is absolutely nobody to root for, making this one somewhat of a murky and miserable experience. I don't mind thrillers that are derivative at all, as long as they are entertaining. You've seen this one all before and done much better. Let me start with the main problem, the characters. Palmer is by far the best thing about this movie. Her alluring, seductive, and amoral performance was the highlight for me. She was actually likable, which is more than I can say for anybody else. Travis Fimmel is actually very convincing as the crazed villain. He was just a bit too abrasive for my liking and didn't know when to simmer it down. It got to the point where it became OTT. He began to annoy me and it ruined the performance for me. Stephen Moyer plays his manipulative part well, but he's a major idiot. He is purportedly our hero, but he is arguably as flawed as the villains themselves. The ending made me wanna jump in the screen and strangle him. Speaking of the ending, I will give it some credit. The movie is just too unoriginal, slow, and unlikable for me to ever see again. It is worth a look, but nothing more. 5.2/10

...and certainly not as well as the femme fatale's clothing fits her, but this is still a decent little thriller that delivers handsomely on a relatively small budget, despite an Act Three resolution that doesn't quite live up to the build. David Denneen guides an excellent cast through his feature-length debut with remarkable assurance and style; where has this guy been the past decade? Said cast does him and the unfortunately flawed script proud: newcomer, Travis "The Big Valley" Fimmel, authoritatively conjurers a young Brad Pitt, Teresa "I Am Number Four" Palmer can't help but make one think of a young Nicole Kidman, and Steven "True Blood" Moyer proves he can ably sink his teeth into a role without fangs. Denneen couldn't have asked for better.The plot is drawn from the same well as films like "Kalifornia," "Natural Born Killers," and progenitors like "Badlands." Crazed young couple on the lam, home invasion, cat and mouse monkey business, and the inevitable comeuppance of the perps, with minor variations to keep it interesting. It's pretty tightly written until the unlikely third act, as if scripter Dave "Garage Days" Warner ran out of juice and fell back on stock Hollywood resolution. Still, "Restraint" earns enough welcome to mostly make up for the fizzled finale. I stumbled across it at the library, and familiarity with two of the three leads was enough to pique my interest. I was not displeased.

One of the reviews said this: "What is the definition of a gullible idiot? A: Anybody who buys the patronizingly glowing reviews posted above! In case you aren't aware, it has now become standard practice for individuals with a vested interest in low budget movies to talk them up on sites like this in the hope that the public will pay money to watch them at the cinema or on DVD.Ask yourself this: why would these people need to generate favorable publicity for a movie when a good movie will generate its own favorable publicity through word of mouth? The answer is obvious. " This is a movie review site. Why wouldn't you review a movie you like? Technically, the internet is the new word of mouth, same as texting.If you want a good film that is different than the Hollywood rip-offs, remakes,and abominations, look this one up. It's a good thriller.

Ron and Dale are lovers/fugitives on the run who decide to take reclusive shut-in Andrew hostage when their plan to make a run for the border goes south. Quick thinking, but jealous Ron comes up with a new plan to get some of Andrews money. But fate has other things in store for the unlikely threesome. I found this to be a pretty atmospheric little thriller. A bit claustrophobic, but in a good way. It's also very well acted by the three leads and aside from a few pitfalls and an ending that's easily enough to deduce, I enjoyed the film Eye Candy: Teresa Palmer provides the T&A quotient My Grade: B Lionsgate DVD Extras: An 8 minute, 15 second making-of featurette; an alternate ending; interviews with David Denneen, Anna Fawcett, Travis Fimmel, Teresa Palmer & Stephen Moyer; trailer for this film; and trailers for Bangkok Dangerous, the Spirit, Kitchen Privilages, Dracula's Guest, & Raising Jeffrey Dahmer