(director/writer: Eddie Mensore; cinematographer: Matthew Boyd; editor: Eddie Mensore, Stephen M. Rickert Jr.; music: Maurico Yazig; cast: Sosie Bacon(Sara), Steven Ogg (Carl), Alex Roe (Will), Dave Davis (John Lang), Kevin Sizemore (Dr. Bower), Emmett Moss (Sara’s son Morgan); Runtime: 89; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Matthew Boyd, Eddie Mensore, Sosie Bacon, Alex Roe; Emphatic Films; 2024)

“Feel-good topical indie drama about a poor mining town.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Eddie Mensore (“Mine 9″/”The Deposition”) is the writer/director of this well-intentioned, feel-good topical indie drama about a poor mining town, in the Appalachian Mountains, caught up in the opioid crisis over its addiction problems.

Will (Alex Roe) is the reluctant drug dealer and user kicked out of the house by his non-user wife Sara (Sosie Bacon), a reformed alcoholic, wanting to protect their son (Emmett Moss) from his misguided father. Meanwhile, Sara’s cop brother John Lang (Dave Davis) goes after the drug dealer who sold the teenage girl the prescription drug that killed her, not knowing it was Will.

In his inner battle, Will tries to save his family from the drug crisis.

The acting by the two stars is fine. The familiar story is a bleak one and ripped from today’s headlines. I found it watchable and well-produced, but not something I really liked.

REVIEWED ON 2/2/2025  GRADE: B-
dennisschwartzreviews.com