Christian Grillo’s BOOLEY is a thrill-one-minute, laugh-the-next film, and that approach works extremely well. The story concerns Angus Booley (Tom Detrik), a marginalized man with an unfaithful wife (Raine Brown, THE SUPER), a bullied daughter (Carmela Hayslett aka Roxsy Tyler) and a job that just outsourced his position to India. Things turn around for Angus when he discovers the teaching of motivational speaker, Jack Harrington (THE WIRE’S Christopher Mann), and he uses these lessons to transform himself into a force to be reckoned with. The chaos that ensues is violent, darkly humorous, and often disturbing.
The independent production has a lot going for it. First and foremost, Grillo’s script creates a strong tension between comedy and thrills. The suspense in each death scene builds and builds until a piece of quirky dialogue provides a wonderful break. The humor, carried out through the dialogue, is really what makes the film stand out amongst its peers in the genre.
Another commendable aspect of it is the cast. BOOLEY brings together an ensemble of professionals, and everyone performs quite nicely. Detrik is sympathetic and darkly funny as Angus; Mann’s scenes as Jack Harrington are impossible to look away from. Hayslett and Browne also turn in outstanding performances as Angus’ troubled family members.
Add in a musical score (also by Grillo) that keeps the atmosphere beautifully bizarre, a script that moves at a tight pace and cameos by various cult and comedy celebrities, you have a gripping thriller that is also tons of fun to watch. Highly recommended, folks.
For more info, check out http://www.mrpotent.com
Lucas Mangum 