Tommy Carter (Anthony Mackie), a life coach, is now a successful author. When his brother Ben (Mike Epps) has money problems, Tommy decides to take on a patient, Angel (Forest Whitaker). Angel ends up putting Tommy, and his family, through something that will change their lives forever.
My Verdict
When I heard about this movie and saw the previews I thought it was going to be a thriller/horror movie, so I was prepared to be scared out of my wits. But, this was very much a psychological thriller. Sure there were moments when I was scared and creeped out but this movie is smart and really makes you think.
I thought is was really well done. It's a shame more people didn't know about and see it because it was a really good movie. I must praise all of the actors in this film. They did an amazing job, even Mike Epps. He's usually seen doing more comedic roles, but he really surprised me in this movie. Forest Whitaker also did an amazing job (no surprise). He did a great job of making you feel for the bad guy. He and Anthony Mackie are on the list of some of the most underrated actors.
The end of this movie is really something. I'm going to talk about it more specifically in the spoiler section but I will say that you will be talking about for a while after watching. I watched with family and friends and we were still talking about it the next day. The whole movie really sparks a discussion that will last hours, days after watching.
I watched the "making of" special feature and you can tell they put a lot of thought into this movie which makes me like it even more. Also, I thought it was great that there were POC's (people of color) in front of and behind the camera.
I'm giving this movie an 9/10.
Spoilers
There are 2 specific things I want to talk about.
First, the whole "bad guy" thing. The obvious choice of the bad guy is Angel because he kidnapped Tommy and his family, and put them through all this turmoil. But, Tommy and Ben were sitting on a lie for years. They were responsible for Angel's mom's death. Tommy was driving drunk and hit her. The kicker is that she wasn't dead and it was Ben who threw her into the bayou that killed her. They kept this a lie for so many years and it was Angel that finally got them to tell the truth. So who is the bad guy, if there is one? Or are they both bad guys?
Second thing I want to talk about is that ending. Tommy had the gun pointed to himself and we heard a gunshot but we don't know who was shot if someone was shot. At first I thought Tommy killed himself and I hated that. But after thinking and talking about it with the people I watched with, I don't know what happened. There are so many possibilities. He could've shot his brother or his wife. The gun also could've misfired and no one got shot. I really loved how ambiguous it is. Everyone I watched with had different theories and we came up with more. Viewers can have their own theories and choose the one that makes them happy. What are your theories for the end.
IMDB page
Just finished watching this movie. Never heard of it before. To be honest I was awaiting two more shots. But as for Tommy's wife, she had nothing to do with it. For I don't believe Tommy's final line was meant for her. It makes since for Tommy to shoot himself to "free" himself from secrets and downfall of his brother. But, Tommy could have shot his brother for Angel's mom actual death, however, Tommy knows Ben covered for him since childhood. Thus, if it wasn't for Ben, Tommy probably wouldn't be a successful author
ReplyDeleteI believe Tommy shot His brother Ben in the end. After all, it was Bens selfish and heartless decision and action of throwing Angel's Mother, although injured, she was still alive & conscious. Afraid of the consequences Tommy would face. Ben being the proud & over protective big brother. Angels Mother met Her untimely death by drowning in the bayou. Just before Angel was ready to strangle Tommy. He stated that there was more to the story than Ben initially shared. Tommy said He was scared, rightfully so. Being under the influence, injured, confused and incapacitated, absolutely unable to stop Ben from throwing Her off the the bridge and into the water. No doubt Tommy would've tried to help her,saving Her instead of Ben's decision of murdering her? Now with no secrets left. Both brothers spiritually dead. And Tommy's conscience clear and His deepest fears gone. He knew Ben could no longer torment,belittle or blackmail him with that wicked guilt ridden secret that Ben had up until now has used as a weapon against him. A way to control and manipulate His younger brother in feeling as if He was the one who killed Angels Mother. When It was Ben Himself who was the reason Everything had happened to everyone to begin with. Reliving that same night along with feeling Angels pain of losing His Mother. And knowing that had Tommy not said anything after Ben told His partial version of that fateful night? Angel would've killed Tommy. Tommy realized that Ben would be let Him and never have told the whole Truth. That was what sealed Ben's fate. If the three of them tied up. Angel partially untied Tommy & left Ben's gun where He could reach it. Tommy had no reason to kill Himself when He was innocent as far as Angels Mother death. And they wouldn't be able to charge Him with anything for that night. I believe He was afraid for His life. Believing his older brother would kill him if he ever told anyone. To rid his wife/girlfriend and himself from Ben's menacing shadow forever, while at the same time giving his brother mercy so He wouldn't have to go to prison for the murder of Angels Mom. I believe Tommy shot Ben. Again. Ben's wrong decision had caused all of the unwanted wickedly negative chain of events throughout the movie from the start.
ReplyDeletewhat I don't get is how did Angel know it was them who killed her?
ReplyDeleteIn the movie there are flashbacks of a psychic reading. 1) was a quote from his book. 2) was the name of his book signing “never look back”.
DeleteIn the movie there are flashbacks of a psychic reading. 1) was a quote from his book. 2) was the name of his book signing “never look back”.
DeleteBecause around the same time Angel's mother died, Tommy wrote a book about a near death experience. Angel read the book and got a hunch from there.
ReplyDelete