★ 5 / 10
<em>'Demons from Her Past'</em> isn't actually that terrible
r96sk
'Demons from Her Past' isn't actually that terrible, but the poor acting and dumb character behaviour hampers everything else down. The premise is more than…
'Demons from Her Past' isn't actually that terrible, but the poor acting and dumb character behaviour hampers everything else down.
The premise is more than decent, but the way the characters are portrayed just doesn't make sense a lot of the time - they have an annoying knack of explaining their plans straight to their enemies in private settings, before reacting with shock that it led to bad things for them.
The acting doesn't help either, with none of the cast giving anything memorable. I didn't connect with the supposed protagonist, Alison (Alexandra Paul), all that much, despite the obvious nature of the antagonists. Another negative is the music, which isn't bad but it's definitely overused; it felt like every scene needlessly had a dramatic score behind it.
Not an awful film, just not a good one at all. The concept did hold potential, though.
★ 8 / 10
Allie Versus Her Bully Boys in Gilroy
lavatch
After 25 years, Allison "Allie" Buchanan returns home to Gilroy for the funeral of her grandmother. But she is also determined on settling the score with three…
After 25 years, Allison "Allie" Buchanan returns home to Gilroy for the funeral of her grandmother. But she is also determined on settling the score with three bullies from her high school years. On a country road, Allie was driving with her friends who were intoxicated. The wheel was taken from her by one of the drunken boys, the Buick veered, and young Patrick Jason Connelly was killed while riding his bycycle. The boys ran from the scene, then banded together to assign the blame to Allie.
After spending three years in prison for manslaughter, Allie has brooded for years about being scapegoated. Finally, she has decided to right the wrong against K.C., Jeremy, and Quentin. The linchpin of the group is K.C., who is an aspiring politician. Jeremy has become a successful physician and is planning a wedding to Brigitte, a former Miss Pennsylvania. The local sheriff, Ray Baxter, is in the back pocket of K.C. for getting him off the hook for stealing money after a drug bust.
The wild card in the equation is the guilt-ridden Quentin, the younger brother of Ray. Quentin was the best friend of Allie. Tortured for years with the guilt of betrayal, Quentin vows to make a statement proclaiming Allie's innocence. But he is knocked into a coma by Ellie, K.C.'s ambitious wife, then administered a lethal injection by Jeremy.
The most interesting character development in the film is that of the sheriff, Ray. Due to his honest and decent wife, Marilyn, Ray has a change of heart that leads to a remarkable transformation. The actor was outstanding in revealing the gradual change that came over Ray as a matter of conscience.
The demons of the past in Gilroy are exorcised due to the tenacity of Allie and the fortitude of Marilyn. The resolve of Allie and Marilyn is no match for the corrupt bully boys of Gilroy. The deep, dark secrets of the past are finally brought out to the open. There is a sense of redemption for the rule of law and decency due to the strength of two strong women.