Hammer

One of the best character-driven films of 2019/2020 with subtly layered irony, haunting performances and great music. Emotional realism is at its best when easy transactions go sour and emotions erupt arriving at the point of no return. Graphic realism, which the Brits and Americans are allowed to capture so appallingly well, never makes it to our Canadian final cuts. Canadian censorship simply won't allow artists to work their magic, so their talent is tethered to a prescribed hemline mentality. Do we need hyper-graphic detail? Some viewers need it to satisfy their armchair blood lust. But in watching "Hammer" I was too busy sinking in the characters' terror, desperation, hopelessness and revenge to miss gory details. Incomparable performances.

Exceptional acting and directing make this a must-see indie crime thriller. It's proof that every good film starts with a good script regardless of budget size. Will Patton was superb. The other unknowns all turned in riveting, believable performances. It's definitely Hammer time.

Many of the sequences and plot gyrations are unbelievable with a slurry of loose ends which leave you guessing.

The generic script tackles some perplexing social issues, like the allure of drugs, but with a small movie budget, "Hammer" - as story itself - acknowledges how poverty and neglect lead to chaos. Due to the modest budget, this Canadian crime thriller becomes an old-fashioned drama which has the focus on the cast performances instead of much needed action. Film is unquestionably W. Patton's show who is here in a rare lead role, but it's just too bad that it couldn't have been in a better vehicle than this. Rest of the cast is average and uncharismatic. The whole story is one-dimensional and when the whole thing finally comes to an end, it will inspire little more than shrugs from most viewers. Ultimately, "Hammer" is a short movie (81 min), but it drags its feet getting to the sort of conclusion you see coming from a mile away. And, with no proper development of any character, they aren't particularly pleasant or agreeable, causing movie to become rather frustrating and dull viewing experience.

Rating: 4-

Fantastic little film. A tight, compact thriller that works on (mostly) every level. Will Patton does what he's been doing for so long now - he delivers a great performance in a complex role and does it in the most "everyday guy" way. The script is efficient and effective, it is exactly the right amount of action and family drama with dialogue that is actually believable. As Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com said, I believed every minute of it. The only negative, and it is really just me being selfish, is that it is too short. I would have enjoyed a little more backstory. That aside, it is absolutely worth a watch and Will Patton's performance from beginning to end is riveting.