ONE AGAINST THE HOUSE is a solid indie crime thriller that is thoroughly suspenseful and rich in themes. As director Fredianelli's movies go, this is one of his tightest and most polished movies of late. Very little about it screams "low-budget" as the sprawling locations and slick camera work go a long way. The acting is solid for the most part with Derek Crowe making a fine lead and the performances only seem uneven when it comes to a handful of supporting players (as is common it seems in a lot of Wild Dogs Productions). Erik Jorn Sundquist makes his first appearance in a Wild Dogs movie and proves appropriately menacing and threatening as the film's villain. Looking at Fredianiell's recent output, this movie stands out for being more than a simple genre exercise. It's less of just "Fredianelli does a heist movie" than a unique story that delves into gambling as a central theme. In fact (though very different in tone), this movie at times reminds of the Robert Altman classic CALIFORNIA SPLIT with the level of immersion it brings to the subject. ONE AGAINST THE HOUSE explores what being addicted to risk and games of chance does to someone in a chilling manner. More than appropriately, it's a movie where the stakes feel real. As far as indie films of its type go, this one scores a royal flush.
Review of One Against the House
