Bring Him to Me

As "Bring Him To Me" (2023 release from Australia; 96 min) opens, a driver is ordered to pick up a guy and bring him to crime boss of some sort. In a parallel story, we see the same driver as the getaway driver in a art heist gone bad... At this point we are less than 10 minutes into the movie.

Couple of comments: this movie has a film noir B movie feeling from start to finish, and I don't mean that as a negative. The story line is quite of less importance that the sense of danger that seems to lurk around the corner at any given time. A good chunk of the movie plays out literally in the car itself as we watch the driver and the passenger interact. I will admit I didn't recognize any of these actors (or for that matter the production team including the director). At just over 90 min. This flew by pretty quickly.

I don't know if "Bring Him To Me" had a US theatrical release (I doubt it to be honest). In any event, it is now streaming on Hulu. Where I caught last night. I knew nothing about this movie and simply took a chance on it. It's okay. Not great, not bad, but okay. If you are in the mood for a film noir B movie type, I'd readily suggest you check it out and draw your own conclusion.

This flic could have have been so much more. It tried to be an action movie but there wasn't a lot of action, instead it centered mostly around driving in a car. It tried to build up emotion for a good revenge movie but it all came too late and then it just abruptly ended. It tried to be a message movie about how crime doesn't pay, but even that simple message got messed up. It even tried to be a straight forward crime drama, but because of the wanderings of the script it didn't even really succeed at that.

The script was definitely sub par, with no continuity at all, despite having some decent actors. The atmosphere was ok, dark and rainy, but it didn't pertain to anything useful in the plot. I do like Barry Pepper, his character acting is great, but the script didn't allow him to come across in any meaningful way; Jamie Costa's performance was also good, but again, he was wasted due to the poor script. Though without him I probably would have rated this more of a 3. Sam Neill's role was one of the few in the movie that made sense, though quite short. Rachel. Griffiths role was quite good as the dragon lady, but even that was pulled down because of all the silliness going on in the end scenes.

All in all, a movie that had the opportunity to make a defining statement, but failed utterly to do so.

This movie could have been so much more. But really so much more. With Sam Neill as an actor, I thaught: this will be a nice evening with the family. NOPE !

While the performances, including Sam Neill's, are commendable, they are undermined by thin character development and a lack of emotional depth. The pacing is uneven, with moments of tension interrupted by unnecessary filler that dilutes the impact of critical scenes. The film's attempt to delve into themes of trust and betrayal feels superficial, leaving viewers behind waiting for the action. The real action. Overall, "Bring Him to Me" is a missed opportunity that fails to deliver the gripping narrative it promises.

As in the saying that tells us that if one does not go to the other ... well you have heard of it I assume, so let's skip it, not forgetting to remind you that no pun(s) is intended ... and we (me) are on the safe side after all.

Good actors assemble though I reckon most will especially know Barry Pepper - he really relishes in his role, even when the story (well if you can call it that, there is not much there of course) is really challenging ... and not really giving the viewer a lot of satisfying conclusions ... it does give you some action scenes and there is tension (and thrill(er) moments) of course. A b-movie ... you should be aware what this offers and it does mostly deliver on it ..

This movie races into the cinematic scene with a relentless plot as a getaway driver faces a moral dilemma dictated by a ruthless crime boss. The film, while far from a laid-back watch, offers an engaging experience without taxing your brain. Its concise duration distinguishes it from today's lengthy blockbusters, making it a convenient choice for a casual Friday night. The narrative, though straightforward, weaves in enough surprises to maintain audience interest. This action-packed film is a quintessential guy's movie, encompassing intense shootouts and heart-pounding driving sequences. A quick, thrilling story with the right blend of elements makes it a solid recommendation, especially for those seeking a high-octane escape.