OUT OF EXILE
(director/writer: Kyle Kauwika Harris; cinematographer: Charles E. Elmore; editors: Austin Warren/Colton Warren; music: Cory Perschbacher; cast: Adam Hampton (Gabriel Russell), Ryan Merriman (Agent Brett Solomon), Jake ‘the Snake’ Roberts (Remy), Kyle Jacob Henry (Wesley Russell), Karrie Cox (Agent Jordan), Hayley McFarland (Dawn Russell), Peter Greene (Whitman Rader), Van Quattro (Ruben Russell, Gabe’s father), Wilson Navas (Marcos); Runtime: 107; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Alex Palmer/Shawnee Brittan/Maecus Cox/Karrie Cox/Kyle Kauwika Harris/Kelley Gann/Jacob Ryan Snovel; Saban; 2022)
“Indie derivative heist film.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
Writer-director Kyle Kauwika Harris (“I Stand: The Guardians of the Water”), in his debut in narrative films, is the filmmaker of this indie derivative heist film. He’s of Hawaiian heritage and resides in Oklahoma. The routine crime flick has the familiar crime story theme of ‘one last job.’
The intimidating, bearded and burly soft-speaking Gabe Russell (Adam Hampton) checks in with his parole officer in Dallas, showing him he has a steady job. He is a recently paroled armored car robber who has served a 16-year prison stretch for the crime.
Once out of prison, Gabe attempts to reconcile with his estranged daughter Dawn (Hayley McFarland), involved in an abusive relationship. Her mom passed away while her dad was in prison.
Gabe recruits a trusted former accomplice, Marcos (Wilson Navas), and his drug-addicted, war veteran younger brother, Wes Russell (Kyle Jacob Henry), for a heist. Wes fatally shoots a bank guard during the heist.
The dedicated FBI Agent Brett Solomon (Ryan Merriman) gets to head the investigation and vows to arrest the killers, as Agent Jordan (Karrie Cox) assists.
The untrustworthy and ruthless crime boss Whitman Rader (Peter Greene) gives Gabe a tip on how to steal a half million dollars from a place with light security, and Gabe plans this job as his last score. He views it as his best chance to escape his doomed fate, and also save Dawn. Gabe’s dying dad (Van Quattro) worked for the crime boss and introduced Gabe to him when he was young.
Things get resolved in the climax as expected, in this well-played but formulaic B-film crime drama. One that’s a decent time killer for insomniacs, and despite its shallow story, poor script and banal dialogue, is watchable pulp for those who love this genre and can overlook the film’s many faults.
REVIEWED ON 1/25/2023 GRADE: C+