[yasr_overall_rating]
A father struggles to get back the home that his family was evicted from by working for the greedy real estate broker who’s the source of his frustration.
The very first scenes of this film are emotionally disturbing and remain consistently so throughout the entire movie. The problem with that is, once you are reeled in, it is hard to back away from the thrilling play-by-play offense and defense of the human psyche. The reality of each situation and its impact is enough to make you develop a hatred toward the entire banking and real estate conglomerate while witnessing property being taken away and families torn apart. While dollars add up, sensitivity decreases and you’re left with the guilt of being indecisive about whose turn it is to be on the bad guys side or even deciding who the bad guy really is.
Dennis Nash (Andrew Garfield), a seemingly innocent and barely employed jack of all trades, is left to desperate measures after he, his mother Lynn (Laura Dern) and his son Connor (Noah Lomax) are evicted from the family home they all grew up in. The tables turn completely when Dennis, after being turned down several times for employment, is offered a job working for the very man Rick Carver (Michael Shannon) who physically coordinated his eviction. When Dennis decides to make a deal with the devil (Rick) in order to gain his house back, the real action begins as Dennis produces more money than he’s ever had and must keep his source of income a secret. After Dennis has sold his soul to his guilt–free boss, he realizes that he is losing more than he ever hoped to gain by having a steady income and taking care of his family. When Rick makes him a major partner in the business, he lets Dennis know that he owns him and must make the business a priority over everything else in life. The rubber hits the road when Dennis comes face to face with his ex-neighbor whose son is one of Connor’s best friends. The emotional highs and lows that Dennis experiences, provide a gut-wrenching look at the reality of making permanent solutions for temporary problems.
Director Ramin Bahrani, in his fifth film, has further gained the respect of his audiences by the brilliant selection of incredibly talented actors who never miss a beat in the range of emotions that each experiences throughout the film. Even characters who played minor roles as family members are realistic and intriguing while their lives are being turned upside down. If you’re up for a thrill, this film is perfect for an audience that can handle nonstop ruthlessness and the raw emotion of being able to look at yourself in the mirror and deal squarely with the repercussion of each decision you make in life. Don’t miss the ride and definitely be prepared for the fall!
In select theaters now
