Thursday, November 23, 2017
Michael Allen
Directors: Cary Murnion and Jonathan Milott.
Writers: Nick Damici and Graham Reznick
Cast: Dave Bautista, Brittany Snow and Angelic Zambrana.
Bushwick is an action thriller, which had its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Starring former pro-wrestler Dave Bautista and Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect, 2012), the film tries to answer the question: what if Texas seceded from the United States? Naturally, they would attack Bushwick! a suburb of Brooklyn. Writers Nick Damici (Stakeland II) and Graham Reznick have offered a modern retelling of the Grimm Brothers' Little Red Riding Hood, as Lucy (Snow) attempts to get to Granny's house. The path is littered with gunfire as the big bad wolf gets in the way. As well, much of the film is shot via long takes, with a steadicam. This shooting technique puts the viewer right in close with the characters. Meanwhile, there is a left versus right political bias in the film, with right-wingers looking worse for wear. Still, the film is very entertaining as an action thriller, with Lucy transitioning from lost girl in the urban woods to proficient insurgent.
The first act plays out much like the German fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood. Lucy is decked out in her red cape, er red jacket. She is off to meet Granny, with the Huntsman (Bautista) in tow. She is missing her picnic basket. But, Granny is already dead, killed by the big bad wolf. In the film, the wolf is a paid army similar to the now defunct Blackwater aka Academi. They fight for the South a la 1861. In this modern re-telling, the big bad wolf does not jump out of the closet, but busts down the front door. Once this fairy tale plays itself out, Lucy transitions from innocent girl into rebel and insurgent. It is all army jackets from here on out. And, this modern telling, of an age old story, offers many more twists and turns - before getting to Granny's place.
Meanwhile, the Texans and a few allies are laying waste to much of Bushwick. How many troops would it take to overcome a medium sized city? If many of the citizens are armed (despite New York's strict anti-gun policies), it would take close to half a million. But, the Texans have only brought a couple of busloads of people and an attack helicopter or two. It would be near impossible to take a city block, with this small force. But, Lucy and Stupe (Bautista) trudge on towards a demilitarized zone. Here, the coast guard is airlifting refugees out of the area. Though, the coast guard, in the later scenes, look very much like the U.S. Army. Strange. It is no straight shot from rural Bushwick to the DMZ. This gives the two main characters time to bond over gunfire, gun shot wounds and a now very postponed engagement.
All of the action is caught with longshots and a steadicam. There are imperceptible cuts. Usually, a stairwell is used or a dark wall, to transition from scene to scene. For instance, near the seven minute mark, Lucy ascends the stairs and the camera shifts left, ever so slightly. A very subtle cut takes place here, amongst the smoke. Other cuts take place when the lights briefly go out, in a hallway or when Lucy struggles to exit a darkened Church basement. In the meantime, directors Cary Murnion and Jonathan Milott stay with the action for as long as possible. This shooting style has been tried in films like Children of Men (2006) and Birdman (2014). In an action film, it is particularly effective. This style of directing really puts the viewer in with the characters and with the consistent, fiery action.
There might be only one detraction from the film. There is a slight left versus right political message in the film. Texas is one of the most Right leaning states in the U.S. and they are the instigators of the violence. Basically, they are the bad guys. New York and the surrounding areas are much more Left leaning, or Democrat. The Democrats are made to look like the heroes as they defend their streets. Also, Catholics, who are also often conservative, look particularly bad in the film. One Catholic Priest commits one of the worst sins from the Holy Book, while another does little to help others. God is never there when you need him. Still, the political message (the Left is good, the Right is bad) is never beaten over the head of the viewer. This is more of an action film, than a political analysis of modern American politics.
Bushwick was released this past Summer, in the U.S. A Canadian release has still not been secured and this reviewer had to rely on an import, to view and review the film. Bushwick is also available through Video-on-demand, in the U.S. And, action film fans should check this one out. Very reminiscent of John Milius' work on Red Dawn (1984) and its counter-insurgency, this film takes a microscopic look at what could happen if one state or several states broke away from America. The characters, here, are interesting. Though, viewers should not get too attached. The action is consistent. Thanks to the directors' shooting style, the action is particularly visceral, within Bushwick. And, as California promises to split from the U.S. in 2017, film fans can see what would happen in a new American Civil War (before it actually happens)!
Overall: 7.75 out of 10.
*the music, from Aesop Rock, is also well done - especially through the opening credits.
A trailer is available here for the film (courtesy of RLJE Films):A Bushwick Trailer at RLJE Films
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Posted in: 2017,action,action movie review,action thriller,brittany snow,movie,movie review,nick damici,release date,review,story,synopsis,thriller
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