Gary Lennon is a first time writer/director and it shows with .45. Milla Jovovich is the obvious centerpiece of this misguided drama. We know we’re in for a long haul from the opening shots of Kat (Jovovich). Talking about the sexual prowess of Big Al, her abusive boyfriend. Big Al is played quite single dimensionally by Angus MacFayden). It’s not that the actor’s don’t have the skills or the desire it’s that they are severely limited by the script. The only entertaining moments occur when the film heads more into …he black comedy realm. This momentary effectiveness is soon lost with rather graphic displays of domestic violence. We are intended to feel for Kat but no matter how inclined we are to find her sympathetic I just can’t. With the help of her manipulated friends Kat sets out to rid herself of her partner in crime once and for all. When she finally does pull it off it is so senseless and anticlimactic. The trailer and box art promise a thrill ride journey of cunning and revenge. What the film delivers is boredom and no satisfaction when it’s done. The film tries to be too many things at once and ultimately succeeds at nothing. Trust me. Pass on this one. You’ll thank me for it later.
Video
.45 is presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The film is often quite dark so thankfully black levels are at least average. There’s often quite a bit of grain to keep detail from ever getting sharp. Color is usually pretty natural but never jumps off the screen with any dynamic to make the uninteresting drama any more stimulating. A few compression artifacts combine to make this a sub par transfer in most respects.
Audio
The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio is average at best. There’s plenty of dialogue and little else so this is a very front heavy presentation. At times the characters talk too softly or mumble so I needed to back track and use the subtitles to catch a word or phrase here and there. There not much bass at all. This works pretty much as well in its 2.0 option.
Lennon’s commentary track is very slow. You’ll get some dead air and mostly a description of what you’re seeing. He’s glowing about the cast and his choices but never comes across with anything like passion. This is pretty much how the film itself feels.
Special Features
Only a trailer.
Final Thoughts
Perhaps Lennon will get better with time, I don’t know. I simply have no patience for a film that appears simply self-indulgent to me. The style lacks any cohesion so there just never seems to be any passion or focus. The actors did the best they could but I suspect none of them will be featuring .45 on their bios. This is every bit the independent film. There’s some art and style but little substance. You shouldn’t even rent this one unless “You think you can handle that”.
Special Features List
- Audio Commentary
- Trailer
