The Locksmith

General story is incredibly badly written. The premise is made on the idea that the main character has very little common sense. So, f you get annoyed by people choosing the most obviously wrong choice for an entire film, avoid this.

Overall a dull story and frustrating to watch it unfold without wanting the scream at the screen at every choice by the main character.

The acting itself isn't bad and the cast work well together but they are held back by the poorly written dialogue.

If you don't get annoyed by asinine decisions throughout a movie then you may enjoy this but I couldn't deal with it.

I almost have to attribute many low scores on good little movies these days on the fact that the vast majority of people are just not properly educated about what makes a quality production. Before cell phones and internet, people watched a LOT more movies. Thusly, their attention spans were forced to actually stay and think about what they were watching, or had just watched after it was over. Because of the vast amount of constant entertainment choices at everyone's finger tips these days, people are constantly trying to find something better the minute something ends. I believe it's a very solid 6.5 movie. Everyone did an excellent job all-around here. It also has a very intelligently written script. Gutzy, tense, not overly mellow-dramatic, and never gets preachy. It definitely delivers.

The Locksmith is directed by first time director Nicholas Harvard and stars Ryan Phillipe, Kate Bosworth and Ving Rhames.

The story follows Miller a safecracker where in a job gone bad his partner and friend, Kevin Reyes gets murdered by a dirty cop and he is forced to take the fall. 10 years later he gets out and his friend Frank (Ving Rhames) urges him to make things up to his ex finance (Kate Bosworth) and his young daughter. Unfortunately things get more complicated for Miller when April Reyes shows up asking for his help. Feeling like he owes her for what he let happen to her brother he soon finds himself back in the world he thought he left behind. To make matters worse the dirty cop who got him sent to prison in the first place is still out there looking to make Miller's life a living hell.

Let's start with the good. For a first time feature by Nicholas Harvard this is pretty competently directed and actually looks like a real movie which isn't something I can't say about other DTV movies. The core cast here consisting of Ryan Phillipe, Kate Bosworth and Ving Rhames all do a good job and are beleievable in their roles. Unfortunately what holds this movie back is the script and generic story. A case of "too many cooks in the kitchen" working together to create a project somehow simultaneously convoluted and playing things a little too safe to really amount to much. Maybe not as totally devoid of charm as you'd expect, but still really only ever vaguely competent at best and mediocre at worst.

In the end The Locksmith is just bland all around despite committed lead performances from both Ryan Phillipe and Kate Bosworth.

Locksmith Miller Graham is released from prison after a ten year stretch. He is taken in hand by friend and Mentor Frank, who gives him a job and an opportunity, but Miller is persuaded to do one final job.

After the first fifteen or twenty minutes, I was calling the low score and poor reviews into question, as the movie gets to the hour mark, you'll understand why, after a strong start, it nosedives.

It's definitely polished, it's a very good looking film, a great location, nice camera work, it moves by at a satisfying pace.

The initial story is really good, I liked the idea of Graham coming out with a grudge, but sadly that isn't the way if plays out, the main body of the film, the actual plot is pretty lame, there are just too many holes, too many wtaf moments, the added touches of melodrama really don't work.

The acting is good, Ryan Phillipe does a good job, as do the supporting cast, but they are up against it with the script.

If you can switch your brain off it's watchable, try and take it seriously, or apply logic, and you'll want to throw your remote control.

5/10.

Director Nicohalas Harvard tries very much to keep the movie as an action thriller but still fails to attempt as the story fells flat in the end. Movie starts with a basic plot character buildup is good but just feel average as there very much limited characters are involved in this storyline. Locksmith profession is well utilized in the film and that's one of the thing that keeps the movie engaging. Performance of lead cast is good but there's nothing much to do except for basic character play. There's a lot of good scenes that director can add in the film whether it's action sequences or story telling but all were missing. But still it's definitely a one time watch flick as movie is engaging screenplay is good but don't expect much as it is very limited....