Walden

I feel like the pacing and writing was massively meant for television. It was good film but but protracted at points and then wrapped up too quickly. It felt it had threads to unwrap but none of them did in a one hour and forty minute film. Acting was great and production very good but it did, at times, feel like a television series.

Main guy camps up the main role but presumably on purpose to make it feel less droll with the subject matter in hand which at times is as dark as it gets.

Enjoyed this but interested to know if it was meant instalments which might mean more films or a spin off series.

A stenographic vigilante is not a common theme and opens up vast number of avenues for the plot to grow. But the movie's first half was too distracted with introducing the manic nature of the central character rather than focusing on the plot's progress. Introducing irrelevant characters such as romantic partners wasn't making much effect or useful. Final twist was great but police showing their findings for the sake of neighborly acquaintance was one out of many illogical things in this story. However the visuals were haunting and performances were sincere. Walden is a story that's very much interesting when summed up.

"No one gives a damn. Why should you?"

Walden is directed by Mick Davis and stars Emile Hirsch, Shane West, Kelli Garner and Tania Raymonde.

When small town court stenographer Walden Dean discovers he has a terminal illness he decides to become a vigilante to punish the people who deserve it. Emile Hirsch gives one of his best performances here as what I could only explain as "Dexter if he was on the spectrum." Seriously he really sold this role. His performance might come across as grating to some but I thought it worked for this movie.

Overall this movie isn't great but for a DTV thriller this was engaging to watch and competently made. The ending also sets up a sequel which I would be down to see.

First I gotta say this snuck up on me, this film is a independent cult classic, the dark humor & sinister plot twist was paced well for me, this movie is not too over the top for your senses, the direct too the point main character is just right. The connoisseurs of independent cinema should enjoy, hell I did. I gotta add it's a damn shame this film didn't get the push like most films but you gotta be plugged into the mainstream for that, that being said this film stands on it's own merit. The pacing of this film was not full of cliches too bog a viewer down, the main character was all in, the supporting cast was not out of place for me at all.

I'm only halfway through at the time of this review. I reserve the right to return and edit this review, if they let me. That said Walden is - so far - a phenomenal movie.

It's visually beautiful. I love the vintage mixed with 22nd century. The clothes and scenery is giving '60s retro mixed with thin-tablets.

Early on I can't decide if Walden, the protagonist, is creepy or just different.

He's a court stenographer, and one of the first shots is of him cleaning his tool (get your head outta the gutter). His stenograph. We get to see the pride he seems to have in it. And then we see him lying in bed, praying, wearing Louis Vuitton pajamas. Creepy? Or different?