Review by Adam C. Thomas
Directed by Chris Gorak
Terrorism is a real problem nowadays, and it creates tension wherever it happens. It ruins lives, and destroys communities. Chris Gorak turned the panic and chaos associated with domestic terrorism into a gripping drama set in Los Angeles, California.
Brad is a musician, and his wife Lexi works in the city. Their life is idyllic in every sense. They love each other very much, and things are going amazingly well for both of them. She is leaving for work, when Brad tells her to take the side roads to work, because the 101 was blocked up. She leaves, and Brad begins his day. Then, terror strikes. A bomb goes off in the city. Then another, then another. Immediately Brad is gripped with full on panic, as he tries to get a hold of Lexi, to no avail. All circuits busy, the dead pan voice on the other end of the line says. Brad goes in to total freak out mode, and begins blowing up her phone. He turns on the radio, to catch any bit of news he can. Then the power goes out.
Gorak did an amazing job creating the tension represented by domestic terrorism. It sucks you in, you empathize with Brad, because after the events of September 11, we all know what it's like to be freaked out and absolutely blind to any and all goings on, feeding only on what the news outlets can tell you, little bit by little bit. Rory Cochrane plays Brad, and really shines here. He performed very well, and very believably. It always felt like he was at his wits end, and at any moment, could be pushed over the deep end. His neighbor's gardener, played by Tony Perez, bursts into his home, demanding shelter, he has no place else to go. Once the news gets out that the bombs were dirty bombs, or biological weapons, civilians are ordered to stay inside and seal off every entrance to the house. Brad waits as long as he possibly can for Lexi to return, and with the imminent dust cloud filled with chemicals approaching, has no choice but to seal his home up.
I don't want to ruin any surprises of the movie, so i'll cut the plot synopsis off there, but just know that the movie has a few decent twists. I didn't know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised by this one. I give it an 8 out of 10.