Philip Gissen

I thought this film was very well done. The performances were believable, and the chemistry between the two leads was palpable. The sub-continent setting added to the exoticism of the movie. It kept my interest and was the epitome of a thriller. The plot was unique, and did not follow the usual template. That was so refreshing, as a plethora of movies just follow a tired and overused path, hoping to ensure profit. This was one of the better films I have watched in a couple of years.

Ridiculous mistakes eradicated any validity. Details were ignored, and the movie followed the template for cartel heists. The landing of the coptor in the jungle was laughable. What happened to the snow capped mountains? To spend 151 million on a shallow script like this is a travesty of capitalism. The attack on the villagers, “This is our land,” was “middle school.” I do not understand Hollywood.

It is a provocative Boston story. Kevin Bacon is excellent, but the dialogue and some of the acting miss the mark. The Bacon character graduated from Boston College Law School. The character wouldn’t organically use horrible grammar, double negatives, when speaking. He may fake the uneducated speak, but it wouldn’t be organic when conversing with his wife. The prosecutor’s wife speaks as if she is reading from a thesis. The cadence is lecture, rather than earnest. The Southie/Charleston actors are good, but their accents and personas are too stereotypical. Working at a beauty salon is too easy. This show was poorly written and directed. A great story was made mediocre.