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Memorable, crazy movie

Admirable film.

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Why sit through this whole thing when we as an audience don't give a crap about any of the characters? They are all equally worthless...The villain is a wonderful actor. The lighting and mood are fine, but when we go to the movies what we really want is emotion. To feel, to care. And I couldn't have cared less about the stupid brother or anyone else in The Living. I guess it is a reflection of our culture that movies like this get financed, and made. How does this happen? There is zero subplot, zero nuance, and zero depth of character. It's like a silly ghost story that my 5 year old would tell, only she'd finish it quickly enough not to make me feel like my time had been stolen. Save yourself for actual movies. Maybe other ones that Chris Mulkey is in...since he's really worth watching. Just not in this.Amateur hour and a half.

Kenny Wormald as Gordon carries this movie from start to finish. He shines in his role as the confused, spirit broken, son of Angella, brother of Molly, and trapped future-less stock clerk at a local grocery store.Gordon feels defeated by his mother constantly pecking at him and belittling him. Gordon wants to stand up to his abusive brother-in-law but lacks the will and the drive. His mother fails to realize she has destroyed her son. Molly (his sister) and wife to Teddy only stands up for herself when pushed into a corner as shown by how her husband Teddy beat her and then Molly fights back. But she cannot stay away from Teddy at her mother's house because she see's her mother as more abusive psychologically than Teddy's physical abuse.Fran Kranz as the husband Teddy is very smooth and likable in this role as he charmingly worms his way back into Molly's trust only to have Molly reject him again and again. BUT pay attention to the kitchen scene near the end of the movie! His true character is coming out when he gets Molly to 'get' something for him. And she does! She is now back into his control.Chris Mulkey as Howard is one spooky dude! A terrible creature and Gordon doesn't realize this until it's too late and he then knows he's in over his head. Howard has complete control of him. The finest scene is in the restaurant conversation between Howard and Gordon .... it is here that Gordon actually gets Howard to philosophically question himself and his life. But he too is in over his head with his past life and he cannot escape it, his ship is sinking and he might as well go down with it. On the other hand Gordon must find a way off this sinking ship.This film is perfect from start to finish! Bravo's to writer/director Jack Bryan and the entire cast. A must see film!

This movie is a superb combination of thriller and socially conscious film-making. I've never really seen a film that is as good. The acting is great all around. The characters are nuanced. The problem of domestic violence is subtly depicted. The courage of the filmmakers is obvious from the start. I highly recommend this film. My one reservation concerns the depiction of the killer as southern. But the portrayal of people wiling to forgive is truly amazing and impressive. So, I agree totally with this other review: I saw this movie at a screening in Boston MA sponsored by Emerson college. I was impressed with the content of the film and how Jack Bryan the writer/director incorporates his characters and intertwines their lives into the dark depths of alcoholism and domestic violence. His choice of cast members was right on and I particularly liked his portrayal of the killer played by Chris Mulkey. I was surprised by the ending but not disappointed. This is a must see movie. I hope to have the opportunity to experience more works from this group of talented writers, directors, and producers along with all members who made this film what it is.

A young husband Teddy beats up his wife Molly . Disgusted by this Molly's brother Gordon puts a plan of revenge in to action that leads to consequences !!!! SUGGESTIVE SPOILERS !!!! A independent film from writer /director Jack Bryan who might be worth keeping an eye on . Being an indie film it lacks big names , big budget and is a little slow but this is more than compensated by the performances and a subtext that an eye for an eye leads to universal blindness . When Gordon hires Howard the hit-man I did think we'd be seeing a plot turn where Teddy goes back to beating up Molly therefore any violence inflicted upon him is entirely justified . This predcibility doesn't happen however and is the better for it as Teddy pulls out all the stops to make things back up to Molly. . Most of the structure takes place via dual plotting where one half of the plot concentrates on Teddy and Molly's relationship woes and the other half on Gordon and Howard . There is a slight bugbear to some of this such as why would a hit-man allow a client to visit his home and you're aware this is simply to set up the ending . In other words it's a bit too mechanical to be overly successful but as a dramatic thriller it's not unimpressive