.45 [DVD]

I wasn't too familiar with the previous work of Gary Lennon but after watching this film, he is definitely somebody who I will want to keep an eye out for. I watched .45 at a screening and immediately fell in love with its complex characters, darkness, and a hyper-realism, which is reminiscent of all the great 1970's movies. The cast is comprised of Milla Jovovich, Angus Macfadyen, Stephen Dorff, Aisha Tyler and Sarah Strange. It is fantastic and works as a well-oiled machine. Their performances and feelings are never glorified and despite all characters having attributes, which are very easy to hate, you never quite can, because they are human. It is that complexity which I really admired. I recently heard a great quote "The sign of a master director is that he makes you believe" if that is indeed the case, then Gary Lennon has accomplished what not a lot of directors can. He gave me a glimpse into a world of tension without ever glorifying it; he gave me an insight to a very harsh reality. I highly recommend this movie.

Very good movie. Decent acting on all parts. I think it was a little chopped up with all the commentary breaking the flow of the movie. They should have spent more time on the story line like Big Al's associations and how Kat got where she was. That is why I gave it 4 stars. .45 is pretty true to life what goes on between a battered woman and abusive man. Very well played. The friends all want to do something but like in life, most talk big but can put the rubber to the road. And like most people in this world, nothing gets done unless there is something in it for them. So bottom line is, this is a well acted movie about what real life can be for the unfortunate in these situations. The movie is gritty and coarse but then isn't life sometimes. Well worth watching.

V nice

Great product

Who knew Milla was such a great actress!!? Apparently Gary Lennon did since he cast her in a role we might not usually see her play, and with truly stunning consequences. Her performance is brave, dark, compelling and utterly human - as is the movie as a whole. Angus McFaden is also brilliant as a childlike monster whose charistmatic cruelty helps make this an artfully crafted and very thoughtful piece of cinema.

The raw emotion and grit present throughout this film added an entirely new dimension to the story that really helped draw me into the harsh reality that these characters live in. I was truly impressed with Milla's performance as "Kate" and I was pleasantly surprised to see her outside of a movie laden with kung-fu, guns and monsters and instead see her in a wonderfully directed and extremely well written film. While I've only seen Angus Macfadyen on screen a handful of times, he completely blew me away as "Big Al". He plays one of the most powerful, controlling and abusive characters I've ever seen on screen, yet he's still very much human. There's something about Gary Lennon's writing that really helps you understand these characters and the reality they live in, no matter how dysfunctional and messed up they may be. Overall, .45 is an amazing debut for writer/director Gary Lennon, full of brilliant acting and an enthralling story. Highly recommended!

I picked this up based on the good reviews and hey, Milla Jovovich is in it. But alas it's just not good... The plot is basic, Milla's character Kat is dating 'Big Al' an abusive, violent criminal in Queens, New York. After she's had enough of his abuse she frames him for a crime and takes over his criminal enterprises. It's the sort of movie with good acting and interesting ideas but it seems they used the first draft of the script and didn't bother to give it any thought. At one point Big Al calls the cops to his apartment to arrest a would-be burglar. The cops see his apartment filled with stolen goods and illegal weapons but can't do anything because they don't have a warrant. Which is nonsense. That's not how the law works. It is so stupid I expected a follow up where Al is arrested. But it's just forgotten. Kat's clever plan to frame him is similarly half-baked. She has someone wear his jacket and hoodie to commit a murder. It seems obvious the evidence against Big Al is circumstantial and won't hold up. Why not just rat him out for the crimes he actually committed? Then Kat goes to visit Al in prison and tells him her whole plan. Surely the next scene should be either Al walking free or Al sending his friends after Kat for revenge? But no, it's just glossed over. No one seems to have thought too much about the plot, I think I just gave it more thought than the writer or director. And no amount of good acting can save a film when the story makes no sense. It's also the sort of film that supposed to be set in New York but was obviously shot somewhere else. Skip it.

.45 is a breath of fresh air when it comes to the genre of indie movies. Funny often biting humor mixed with a cast of characters you don't see every day. Milla Jovovich gives a GREAT performance as a lovestruck neighborhood girl who is caught in an abusive relationship. Speeches directed to the camera are really funny. The beating scene is a bit hard to watch but so compelling you can't help but. The dialogue keeps it going. In a world of cookie cutter movies, .45 is unique and worthwhile!