All Creatures Here Below

This is a powerfully acted film about a destitute couple who make poor decisions that eventually spiral out of control. But if you are in a bad mood, this film won't lift your spirits, but make you more depressed.

The acting in this little film was outstanding. Throughout the whole movie I could feel the emotions of the main characters. They did an outstanding job telling this sad tale. 6.9

Ann Jillian and David Dastmalchian star in this star-crossed lover drug/roadie flick about a working stiff who has a drug addicted girlfriend and a limited income.

He gets fired and bets his paycheck on a cock fight. He wins, but the fight is broken up by the police and the bookie/drug dealer runs away with the money. David catches up with him and stabs him in the leg. He takes the money and the dealer's car and runs away with his girlfriend to another state.

So, what is the big deal. We have seen this a hundred times already. Oh wait, they discover a baby in the back seat after a few hundred miles. This certainly complicates things. Now, there is a potential kidnapping charge, in addition to other charges.

The story gets authenticity in my book because of Dastmalchians early adulthood in the Midwest as a drug runner/dealer, who eventually cleaned up his bad habits and migrated to LA. That authenticity shows in the film.

However, there are few surprises here, other than the baby, and we are left with an empty feeling at the end of the movie. However, that is what the writer intended.

This movie is absolutely worth watching, and I liked it. The tale it tells is disturbing to say the least, but it's well acted, the story line is deceptive at first, but it is thought provoking. If you liked "The Virgin Suicides" you might find you like this - the story is very different, but the mood you're left with at the end is similar - it's sad, but it might leave you thankful. Sometimes sad stories should be told.

David Dastmalchian, crafted an enigmatic story about two adults dealing with brutal childhood traumas while living in poverty. At first, viewers who can the film's low production value maybe like ok where's the story? but the joint performance by David Dastmalchian and Karen Gillan, gives the film incredible value.

The film evokes off a strong human feeling to story's end plot twists. Dastmalchian 's acting carries the story through, as Gillan's performance as a disillusioned person. The film also functions as a road trip film; it follows their tragic story.