★ 6 / 10
MOVIE REVIEW A Small Fortune – Genre: Thriller
Chris J
MOVIE REVIEW A Small Fortune – Genre: Thriller Year Released: 2023 Runtime: 1h 31m Director(s): Adam Perry Writer(s): Adam Perry Cast: Stephen Oates, Liane…
MOVIE REVIEW
A Small Fortune
–
Genre: Thriller
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 31m
Director(s): Adam Perry
Writer(s): Adam Perry
Cast: Stephen Oates, Liane Balaban, Andrea Bang, Joel Thomas Hynes, Matt Cooke
Where To Watch: on digital May 8, 2023
RAVING REVIEW: Hold tight for a unique experience with A SMALL FORTUNE, a Canadian crime thriller that questions what the genre is. Written/Directed by Adam Perry, this acclaimed film bagged the Best Screenplay award at the 2022 Manchester International Film Festival. UK viewers are in for a treat with its digital premiere on May 8, courtesy of 101 Films.
Enter Kevin Doucette, played by Stephen Oates, an average Joe struggling to keep his head above water on the secluded Prince Edward Island. Along with his wife (Liane Balaban), the odds are stacked against him. But when a sizable fortune washes ashore, Kevin's luck takes a turn. Or does it?
As the narrative expands, an evil stranger arrives in town on the hunt for the misplaced cash. Kevin's choices create a chain reaction, plunging his peaceful fishing village into a maelstrom of criminal chaos. The atmospheric setting and engaging narrative create an irresistible allure that establishes the tone and mood of the film.
At the center of A SMALL FORTUNE are some moral questions and decisions forced upon Kevin, representing a glimmer of hope for his family while challenging what he knows. The film excels in its storytelling, particularly in the middle act, when the characters become more genuine. The first act's pacing could have some audiences shying away before the film's meat. Andrea Bang's portrayal of a tenacious and charming policewoman is my favorite part of the film; there's something special when you can see a character evolving on screen.
The film's cinematography captures the essence of the fishing village, with just the right mix of overcast skies, murky shores, and a hint of ever-present haze. A SMALL FORTUNE takes a modestly-budgeted Canadian production and expands a well-written script, compelling characters, and powerful visuals. The film's gritty realism and relatable hurdles make it an essential viewing for most audiences.
While A SMALL FORTUNE's narrative may share commonalities with other thrillers, it establishes a familiar and unique world. It balances what you would expect with some twists and turns that make you question each character's loyalty.
A SMALL FORTUNE delivers, boasting an absorbing storyline, well-written/acted characters, and perfect visuals for the story.
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★ 2 / 10
Maybe I am unfair but having the introductory
Alain E
Maybe I am unfair but having the introductory credits play with underlying images in distorted colors and slo-mo and then opens with a man staring at the lens…
Maybe I am unfair but having the introductory credits play with underlying images in distorted colors and slo-mo and then opens with a man staring at the lens predisposes me completely in a negative way.
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★ 6 / 10
Kevin is so dumb
SnoopyStyle
Kevin Doucette (Stephen Oates) and Sam Doucette (Liane Balaban) are a married couple struggling to survive in PEI. Sam is pregnant. Kevin harvests seaweed in a…
Kevin Doucette (Stephen Oates) and Sam Doucette (Liane Balaban) are a married couple struggling to survive in PEI. Sam is pregnant. Kevin harvests seaweed in a traditional way. It would be kind to say that it's a dying industry. The money is not worth the effort. Sam keeps urging him to move west to make some cash, but he refuses to leave home. Out of the blue, he finds money scattered in his seaweed and then a duffle bag full of cash.This is a small Canadian indie in the mold of other small crime dramas where the down and out characters find a bag of cash. It is interesting that Kevin is still harvesting seaweed with a horse. Burning the boat is a really dumb idea. Kevin is not the sharpest tool in the tool box. He's not like a cartoon idiot either. There are so many foreseeable problems that he runs into head-first. That's not a problem. Dumb lead characters are often frustrating, but still interesting. I just wouldn't want dumb writing. My main issue with the story is that Kevin should be dead. At a certain point, he should be killed or at the very least, tortured to an inch of his life. I get that it's hard to kill the lead before the end of the movie. Maybe that's the better move.
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79%
AUDIENCE
5.3/10
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