GALVESTON
(director: Mélanie Laurent; screenwriters: from the novel of Nic Pizzolatto/Nic Pizzolatto; cinematographer: Arnaud Potier; editor: Joseph Krings; music: Marc Chouarain; cast: Ben Foster (Roy Cody), Elle Fanning(Raquel/Rocky), Beau Bridges (Stan), Lili Reinhart (Tiffany), Adepero Oduye (Loraine), Robert Aramayo (Tray), María Valverde (Carmen), CK McFarland (Nancy); Runtime: 91; MPAA Rating: PG-13; producer: Tyler Davidson; RLJE; 2018-in English)
“Seedy and all too familiar film noir thriller.
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
French Actress Mélanie Laurent (“Diving”/”Breathe”) makes her English language directing debut in this seedy and all too familiar film noir thriller. True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto adapts it to the screen from his novel. Though it tells an ugly story, the film is stunning to look at.The foul tempered, heavy drinking, lung cancer dying, 40-year-old New Orleans hit man Roy Cody (Ben Foster) has a violent falling out with his mob boss Stan (Beau Bridges), which is not good for his health, as he figures out he’s being double-crossed.
As a result Roy skips town for his hometown of Galveston with the local teenage prostitute Rocky (Elle Fanning), whom he has just rescued from being in the world’s oldest profession. She brings along her 3-year-old sister Tiffany (Lili Reinhart), which make for an unlikely trio on the lam. In Galveston, Roy plans his revenge and redemption.
The well-worn genre tale is competently filmed, the noirish atmosphere is striking, the dialogue is tough and on target, the acting is solid. But if only things weren’t so predictable this would be a much better film. It’s centerpiece scene takes place in a motel room, when revelations and confessions are made by the main characters.
REVIEWED ON 4/1/2019 GRADE: B- https://dennisschwartzreviews.com/