Writer David Loughery (The Intruder, Lakeview Terrace, Obsessed) spins out another intriguing mystery and director Deon Taylor (The Intruder, Traffik, Black and Blue) polishes the story to a fare thee well. The result is a well-woven thriller that is fast-paced and entertaining.
Derrick Tyler (Michael Ealy) is a successful businessman with his partner Rafe Grimes (Mike Colter) and lives the good life with his also successful businesswoman wife Tracie (Damaris Lewis). Their careers seem to have interfered with their intimacy and Derrick, believing his wife may be having an affair, goes to Las Vegas for a bachelor's night out at the encouragement from his friend Tyrin (Tyrin Turner). In Vegas he meets Valerie (Hilary Swank) at the bar and, with encouragement, has a one night intimate affair. On returning home Derrick and Tracie witness a nighttime intruder and the detective that appears on the scene is none other than Val - aka Detective Val Quinlan! Here begins a series of events that eventually lead to multiple murders and discoveries that all touch on Val's persona (a femme fatale) as an ex-alcoholic, divorced mother of a child in custody of her ex-husband (Carter Heywood), and to reveal more would be committing spoilers!
The movie is well played by a fine cast, including in addition to the above, Lexa Gluck, Denise Dowse, Lance Stephenson, Sam Daly, Geoffrey Owens among others. Dante Spinotti provides the excellent cinematography and Geoff Zanelli is responsible for the at times unnerving musical score. This is a fine 'didn't see that coming' intrigue thriller. Grady Harp, June 21.
Derrick Tyler (Michael Ealy) is a successful businessman with his partner Rafe Grimes (Mike Colter) and lives the good life with his also successful businesswoman wife Tracie (Damaris Lewis). Their careers seem to have interfered with their intimacy and Derrick, believing his wife may be having an affair, goes to Las Vegas for a bachelor's night out at the encouragement from his friend Tyrin (Tyrin Turner). In Vegas he meets Valerie (Hilary Swank) at the bar and, with encouragement, has a one night intimate affair. On returning home Derrick and Tracie witness a nighttime intruder and the detective that appears on the scene is none other than Val - aka Detective Val Quinlan! Here begins a series of events that eventually lead to multiple murders and discoveries that all touch on Val's persona (a femme fatale) as an ex-alcoholic, divorced mother of a child in custody of her ex-husband (Carter Heywood), and to reveal more would be committing spoilers!
The movie is well played by a fine cast, including in addition to the above, Lexa Gluck, Denise Dowse, Lance Stephenson, Sam Daly, Geoffrey Owens among others. Dante Spinotti provides the excellent cinematography and Geoff Zanelli is responsible for the at times unnerving musical score. This is a fine 'didn't see that coming' intrigue thriller. Grady Harp, June 21.