Tuesday, April 27, 2010

A Light in the Darkness and Cryptic Messages: A Movie Review

Director/writer: Marshall E. Uzzle.

Bearsmouth Entertainment is the production company behind the 2003 dramatic thriller A Light in the Darkness. Released by Indican Pictures, the film tells a tale of ancient indigenous burial grounds, gambling debt and a mother complex that could put Norman Bates to shame (Psycho). This is an independent film with a message, but the delivery of the message can and does create confusion in this viewer until the last ten minutes of the film.

Taylor Melnick (Matt Terzian) is a man recently released from the mental hospital where the medical professionals describe Melnick as a "fruitcake" (Light). The constant cuckooing of the cuckoo clock will also fill viewers in to Melnick's schizophrenic condition. Despite these obstacles to sanity, Melnick investigates and correctly identifies the location of an ancient native burial site, which must be hidden in order to keep Melnick's Uncle Stanley (Geoffrey Lewis) out of the grave. Gambling debts lead to much dishonesty and the film's message is convoluted, or tragic with the only semi-likeable character, Melnick, succumbing to greedy, even murderous real estate investors.

What is the message of A Light in the Darkness? This review will try to convince you that the film is attempting to convince readers that the world is tough and full of corrupt individuals. This is a lesson that many relearn daily, but why focus on such discouraging subject matter when one of the goals of film is to entertain? This is a question that can only be answered by director and writer Marshall E. Uzzle, whose filmmaking career took a huge pause between 2002 to 2010. The hopeless feel of the film makes A Light in the Darkness only slightly recommendable, with other failings making themselves know throughout.

The two female characters, Mrs. Melnick (Karen Black) and Kira Hansen (Troy Beyer) are almost completely detestable as one tortures and humiliates her son, while the other drinks herself into a coma. One question that will pop up early is why is the character Kira in this film at all? Possibly as a sounding board for Taylor Melnick's unconscious mother complex, Taylor gets involved with this damaged individual to act out some mother issues to little or no avail.

A Light in the Darkness is only just barely recommendable because the film attempts to deliver a message, but adding a message on the difficulties of life is barely entertaining. However, here is a message to director Muzzle: please make your statement clearer in future films, early. Also, add in more than one likeable character as watching a destitute gambler, promiscuous alcoholic, and shady businessmen, without comedy, begins to wear on the soul after ninety minutes. In conclusion, A Light in the Darkness could use a little more illumination (happiness) in order to make the film more enjoyable to viewers.

Story/plot/believability/delivery: 5 out of 10 (more action needs to take place in the first thirty minutes to hold the attention).
Characters/action/interaction: 5.5 out of 10 (these characters have more issues than a large group of AA members).
Social message/philosophical message: 6 out of 10 (a good attempt but intro' the message earlier so viewers can understand where the film is going).

Overall: 5.5 out of 10.



More details on the film at the Indican film library:

A Light in the Darkness at Indican Pictures

Stumble It!




0 comments: