Caught it at the AOBFF. Was filmed on a shoestring (around 40K).
The film follows Barry, a lovable slime bucket who's schemes cause a violent, domino effect. The main story: Barry owes money to Donato, a local loanshark-type. Donato's not a mobster. More of a money lender, old-school neighborhood guy. Barry has a shorthand with him, so there's some history (due to Donato giving him life advice). Barry hatches a plan to pay off his debt and then some.
Later in the story, Donato and his associate search for Barry after he pulls a "no-show". Donato, doing pickups at his age, shows that he isn't a big-shot. Just a hot-headed older guy who wants his money out of principle. This isn't the typical East Coast mafia stuff (which never really took off in SF). This is just shady guys scheming to make a few extra bucks, which I like. Barry most likely borrowed money from Donato, knowing he could evade him easier than a more seasoned/violent criminal. Barry once again, using/scheming.
Barry's a lone wolf-type crook. His apartment is bare. We get hints that his father is deceased (and dabbled in crime with the Vietnamese), no real mention of his mother and shares a moment with an elderly couple's photo (most likely his deceased grandparents who took him in after his father's passing). He has Irish/Italian heritage but only on "paper". The flags/posters are shallow representations, like hallmark cards. He seems lost. No direction, no family and no goals, holding onto stereotypes. He lives robbery to robbery but does it with charm/humor. Def for the thrill.
The Jones character is an interesting one. He went to high school with the story's "villains", corrupt cops Newark and Cusson. Jones harnesses Al Bundy vibes - "Four touchdowns in one game". He talks about high school like it was yesterday. He hesitantly assists the cops, reminiscent of teenage peer pressure (even though he's in his 50s). He's a worrisome, nervous character, who never got rid of the toxic people in his life. The diner scene between Jones and the cops steals the show. Also, there are some funny scenes between Jones and his wannabe P. I. brother-in-law, Julien.
The film's a love letter to crime films. Reminiscent of 1940 noirs (Plunder Road, Woman on the Run, Dark Passage, especially the Donato character due to his demeanor and cartoonish/dated verbiage), French crime films (Le Doulos), Fernando di Leo films (Milano Calibro 9) and comedies like The Pope of Greenwich Village where criminals get in over their heads.
This flick's worth a watch, getting the most they could out of that budget! A funny Indie with some great scenes/characters!
