Bad Turn Worse is one of those
independent films defying Aristotle by having the whole somehow less than the
sum of its parts. The overall movie is rather pedestrian, but broken down in
all of its elements there are many obvious rising talents scattered within the
production. Rather than being a perfect film, Bad Turn Worse seems an indicator of better films to come from
these filmmakers.
With similar
locale-specific scenic photography and naturalistic performances as early David
Gordon Green and Jeff Nichol’s films thus far, Bad Turn Worse has a plot that
seems reminiscent of the Coen’s debut. It almost seems as though Zeke and Simon
Hawkins studied successful debut features from their favorite directors in
creating this film. It is even being promoted as their “directorial debut,”
though it is actually only the first film that they have directed a film
together. Though there are admirable elements to the execution, it feels light
on plot beyond the basic premise and predictable pre-determined twists and
double-crosses in the final sequence.
The simple
storyline involves three Texan teens (Jeremy Allen White, Logan Huffman and
Mackenzie Davis), two of which inadvertently become accomplices to spending
money stolen by the third. They have a weekend burning through the stolen
money, until the criminal it was taken from discovers their involvement. In
order to pay off their debt, Giff (Mark Pellegrino) forces the three teens to
carry out a heist against a money-laundering gangster, Big Red (William
Devane), who also happens to be Giff’s boss. This goes predictably awry, though
it provides plenty of opportunities to showcase the Hawkins’ talents and for
Pellegrino to chew the scenery in a committed performance as the film’s main sociopath.
Entertainment Value:
7/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 7/10
Historical
Significance: 3/10
Special Features: 0/10
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