The new low-budget home invasion thriller, Misdirection, has a few things going for it. Stars Olga Kurylenko and Frank Grillo are good actors who have great screen presence. The plot is nothing new but there are one or two interesting twists and turns. Finally, The Moxy Brothers create an old fashioned synth score (part Tangerine Dream and part Jay Chattaway of 80s horror fame) that blankets the film in an ambient mood that matches Matti Eerikäinen’s dark lighting. Unfortunately, in the hands of director Kevin Lewis, the film runs out of steam in its first 20 minutes and never recovers.
Misdirection Review
Written by Lacy McClory, Misdirection focuses on Sara Black (Kurylenko) and her boyfriend Jason Wright (Oliver Trevina), saddled with debt to the mob. What particular mob, you ask? If only the screenplay would care to tell us. The two have been robbing from the rich in the hopes of paying back the money and saving their necks. This is The Movies, so their latest break-in immediately goes south once the owner of the house (David Blume, a high powered defense attorney who is definitely “mobbed up”), comes home too soon.
After a cat and mouse opening where Blume walks through the house, knowing someone is inside, a fight ensues that sees Jason shot in the arm while Blume ends up tied to the end of his bed. The already high tensions rise to Defcon 5 once deceptions and betrayal come into play. It is here where Misdirection not only gets its title, but this is the point where each reveal should have us on the edge of our seats. This is not to be, as director Lewis has no clue what to do with the story. The film begins promisingly, as Sara and Jason execute their plan until their target throws a monkey-wrench into the night, but the screenplay finds itself in the hands of a filmmaker that cannot craft tension nor (after the setup) interest.
Films of this ilk are tough to do, as the “home invasion/hostage” genre was played out decades ago. It would take a filmmaker with great skill in the thriller genre (a De Palma, for example) to make a picture like this feel fresh. Kevin Lewis just doesn’t have “it.” Regarding the opening sequence, right when we are saying to ourselves, “This one is pretty good,”, the scene goes on and on until the director springs a creative leak and drains himself dry. Eventually the scene must be moved along, but Lewis demonstrates his lesser skill behind the camera by stretching it out until the screen is just three characters walking around a dark art-deco home. Not knowing when to cut (or at least trim down) causes the sequence to wear out its welcome.
The rest of the film is Blume tied up while trying to help Jason understand that Sara could be playing him. Does she have a sinister motive? Is Blume telling the truth? Is HE the victim or just waiting for a chance to strike back? Again, the director handles all the reveals with the surprise of a Christmas gift that you purchased for yourself. The film has no “pop” and ends up playing out like a lesser episode of Law & Order.
Frank Grillo is Blume and gives the character some gusto. A couple of well written and performed monologues hint at what the picture could have been. Grillo is quite good in the role and downplays his usual tough guy persona, to a point. While the character isn’t a villain,allegiances will change. Grillo handles it all quite well, but his commitment deserved a better
film.
The same can be said for the talented Kurylenko. She has been a Bond girl and has traversed drama, sci-fi, and just about every genre, including starring for one of the masters of the craft, Terrence Malick in 2012’s To the Wonder. Kuylenko is versatile and is always interesting to watch, but this film lets her down. Like Grillo’s solid work, her skills are wasted in a role that needed a deeper exploration.
As Sara’s boyfriend, Oliver Trevena fails to register. With his gruff cockney accent, bald head, and constant scowl, the actor comes off looking like a poor man’s Jason Statham. The character is pivotal and deserved a stronger actor. Trevena can’t seem to muster up the right emotion during any given scene.
Verdict
A contained home-invasion thriller with a good cast and an interesting plot, the film crumbles in the incapable hands of its director. Kevin Lewis cannot guide this one to stand out from the countless (and better) films of its type. At times, it feels as if he isn’t even trying. Misdirection is not a horrible film, it’s just not good. Not at all.
What did we expect from the director of Willy’s Wonderland?
Reviewer: Anthony Francis. He is the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of The Movie Revue. You can find his reviews, interviews, and other works at TheMovieRevue.com, as well as on Instagram and Facebook.
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