A 7th Floor presentation, in association with Apropos Films. (International sales: Visit Films, New York.) Produced by Jesse Scolaro, Allen Bain, Lois Drabkin, Alex Estes. Executive producers, Jason Orans, Amy Ryan. Co-producer, Petra Hoebel. Directed, written by Noah Buschel.
With: Michael Shannon, Frank Wood, Amy Ryan, Linda Emond, John Ventimiglia, Margaret Colin, Paul Sparks, Yul Vazguez, Paul Adelstein, Kate Arrington, Anthony Esposito, Daniel Franzese, Rodrigo Lopresti, Liza Weil, Merritt Wever, Gary Wilmes, Joe Lovano.
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Hired to follow a man on a train trip to Los Angeles, alkie private eye John Rosow (Shannon) pursues the man and his Mexican boy companion to an isolated desert compound, then escorts him back to New York, where Rosow -- for good reasons -- does not want to go. Scripter-helmer Noah Buschel knows his way around Chandler-esque plotting, colorfully dubious characters and evocative locations, but brings none of it to cinematic life. Attired in coat and tie, the hulking Rosow reps an interesting throwback navigating a dread new world. Jazzy score and refs to "The Night of the Hunter" are evocative.
Camera (color, Super 16/HD), Ryan Samul; editor, Mollie Goldstein; music supervisor, Jim Black; production designer, Aleta Shaffer; costume designer, Eden Miller. Reviewed at Sundance Film Festival (Spectrum), Jan. 16, 2009. Running time: 94 MIN.
