User reviews

Yeesh. This is a tough movie to watch.

This is not an "action crime thriller" as it's categorized on IMDB, because there's only one "action" scene so to speak. This is more like a crime drama, but it's filmed like a thriller. It has that gritty, low-saturated gauze about it.

However, the film itself is about the cycle of people making bad decisions that come back to bite them as they attempt to turn a sour life into a good one.

Ben Foster really is the driving force of the film here; he's a powerhouse on the screen, and he portrays a character of little words. His character's backstory is told through small bits and pieces throughout the film, while the tattoos, facial expressions, and his mannerisms explain the rest.

Yet the film is not a revenge piece like the description may lead you to believe. It's a realistically told crime tale about two people coming out of a really bad situation trying to make the best of it, but they just don't know how. This movie does not follow Hollywood's typical action beats so don't watch this while you're in a depressed state or a low mood.

Even still, Foster has been racking up a filmography of truly worthwhile films. He's been selective and intelligent with his choices, appearing in a lot of indie flicks that hit you hard.

This one definitely hits you hard.

Noir film, brilliantly acted by Ben Foster, who deserves to be a major star. Familiar premise of a hitman who rescues a teenage prostitute and goes on the lam with her and her young daughter. Somewhat overacted by Elle Fanning, who needed to rein in the histrionics - a mistake by the director.. The story holds up well, with twists and turns along the way. Unfortunately the ending lets the whole thing down. Illogical and rushed (as other reviewers have noted!) the story simply peters out instead of ending with a bang. A shame as there was enough good acting and originality to the story to have made it a good watch. Interesting to note that Wikipedia reports the write took his name of the credits when the director made changes he disagreed with. Would have been nice to have seen the original ending instead of the director's.

I was hooked into this film, it grabbed me and held my interest easily and fully. It feels so authentic, I was loving it. The end however I found to be very disappointing. I didn't feel it was the type of film to end in the vague way it does. It just didn't fit this film. Too bad the ending wasn't better, because this could have truly been great. 6.5/10

Ben Foster and Elle Fanning surprisingly had great chemistry together for such an odd relationship. The filming captured the time period with the exception of a cell phone in a back pocket. It had some interesting twists that kept your attention.

When you don't have anything to lose, you risk it all ... I mean that makes sense now doesn't it? While we all know we will eventually die, we don't really (like to) think too much about our mortality. So maybe you don't approve of the movie being so blunt and in your face. Not to mention violent and over the top of course.

Ben Foster plays it as straight as he can and he has the innocent looking Elle Fanning at his side. Anyone who has seen her in other roles already knows there is more to her though. In this case we get something I haven't yet seen from her: annoying screaming. It's her character of course, so don't get that mixed up. Thriller is quite nice to say the least, even it isn't everyones cup of tea

It's 1988 New Orleans. Roy (Ben Foster) is diagnosed with terminal cancer. He's a hitman sent to kill a crime lord but the man isn't there. He ends up rescuing captive Rocky (Elle Fanning). She's 19 and hoping to work as an escort. She refuses to leave his side as he sets off on a road trip to Galveston.

Famed French actress Mélanie Laurent is the director. She has a good visual eye. The story flows well but it does have a few bumps on the road. Foster is playing the strong, silent type but it would serve the movie well if he has more conversations with Rocky. I like most of their interactions. Elle's big emotional scene does go too hard. Obviously, Mélanie directed her to stretch out her acting skills but she may not be capable yet. Also I think it would be more powerful if she tries to stifle her pain inside. When Roy gets to his destination, the scene needs some more depth to the reason why he needed to see that woman. It also doesn't make sense that he would return to Rocky unless it is set up better. Overall, Foster continues to be an underrated actor and Elle is at least trying to do more than being the ingenue.

It's like a British film. Low on budget, strong on characters, heavy on the violence.

I liked it a lot.

While the acting is very good, everything else is not.

The entire story can be told in 3 sentences. That may be the case for most movies, but there's most likely something going on between said lines. But not much here. The bad ending pretty much fits the rest.

Some claim it's a sophisticated movie, Well, I beg to differ. Sure, there's some message, but it's neither that deep nor worth the 90 minutes needed to make it through the flick.

The summary says it's a 'Noirish crime thriller', hmm, better watch an old French one instead.

Yes, the lighting was a bit dark, but I adapted after a while. I think what bothers people the most is that it doesn't follow the formula of happy endings for all. Storyline is small city mobster wants to clean up loose ends and get rid of one of his "workers". Things go awry and our worker while escaping picks up a hooker. Things get complicated as they are on the run. Acting was OK, not challenging given the roles.

Seriously disappointing attempt at a noir road movie. Littered with unrelateable characters, with unclear motives behaving in the most extreme ways. Literally killing people, for no clear reason.

The entire plot is a mash of road movie tropes that didn't even make the try hard category. I really like Ben Foster but his talent is wasted in this pretentious codswallop!

I was expecting a Hollywood ending, and didn't get it, yet I appreciate this film even more because of it.

This film was an outstanding true film noir (Google it) and the finest in filmmaking you don't see made in Hollywood anymore, as today's viewers wan't more action and thrills. I am one of those people, and I can't stand slow paced films, but this film is that one rare exception.

It's an emotional roller coaster ride that leaves you wanting more, and although it doesn't fulfill your expectations at the end, it's still a rare true artistic gem of a production.

Directing by Mélanie Laurent was perfection. The writing by Nic Pizzolatto was great, although I would like to have seen a little more 'drama' and 'action' added to the script, but that's just me. I also felt the ending was a little rushed and could have been more impactful. The length was perfect, but I wouldn't complain if it was longer with less of a rushed ending. The cinematography and score were on point. Ben Foster and Elle Fanning were outstanding, and all other cast members were great, although I felt Beau Bridges slick hair character would have been better cast by a more gangster looking actor - say Tommy Flanagan.

This film isn't for everyone, hence some of the low ratings, but for those who appreciate an excellent old fashion story-telling production out of the Hollywood ordinary, that has heart, this is for you.

A well deserved 8/10 from me.

A very beautiful film, but definitely not an action or adventure film. It is rather the story of two people with brutal pasts who meet in brutal circumstances. The path of that meeting turns out not to be easy in itself either.

Although an adequate film it is still rather boring without any real surprises or innovations. Once it ended I didn't care at all.

Good performances and a promising story line but it was still all dead on delivery. Although a film noir it still has nothing on the classic film noir era.

Stories like this are tired: violent criminal develops sensitive relationship with teenage girl and their lives are changed as a result.

The acting here is better than passable, but it's not extraordinary.

The ending was powerful, and took me by surprise. It elevated what felt like a perfunctory movie.

When a mob hitman is set up by his boss he takes out the men lurking kill to him and rescues a 19yr old call girl in the process before going on the run with her. I knew this would be decent as Ben Foster is one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood and his chemistry with Elle Fanning in this story is fantastic. In a film I'll admit is not an easy ride or watch at times it can take a surprise turn and lift you up. I've seen hell of a lot worse!!

I really don't understand this rating on this excellent film, the Performances were phenomenal Ben Foster one of the despised actors in Hollywood, an excellent direction by Melanie Laurent

Galveston is very slow and hard to watch for 70 minutes. Then it accelerates for a beautiful third act that absolutely pays off.

Both leads are very good, and I mean it. Laurent shows she can direct with the beautiful ending and with some outstanding camerawork here and there.

It's definitely worth a watch.

Another movie with divided reviews. Some praise it as an excellent film noir, others thought it was boring for the entire movie. Everybody is entitled to it's opinion. I'll cut the apple in two, it's neither excellent neither bad, it's just an average movie that not alot of people will remember. The acting is okay though so that's not the problem. The problem is the story. It's kinda slow but most of the time it's just predictable. You won't get any surprises and I wouldn't call it a thriller either. I already forgot almost everything about it while I'm writing this, that's how it stuck to me. Up to the next movie.

A standard tough as nails hit man who soon becomes a softie when he meets a hooker w/a heart of gold. Ben Foster & Elle Fanning star in this tale of a hit man working in the Texas area who is sent to make a collection, kills his quarry & rescues a woman at the scene he finds tied to a chair. Finding additionally some paperwork his employer desperately needs, the hit man blackmails him for a tidy finder's fee. Things get more complicated when the saved filly decides to make an unscheduled trip back home to pick up her younger sister & a gunshot is heard spurring all parties to hit the motel circuit to avoid capture. Based on a novel by Nic Pizzolatto (the creater/writer of True Detective) the film is shot well w/a definitive sense of place but the shortness of this outing & over-familiarity ruin things when the relationship between the 2 leads starts to get interesting. Directed by some time actress Melanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds/Now You See Me), one wishes a streaming outlet or even HBO would've optioned this novel to be a limited series to expand on the story's twists, turns & byways but it is a nice calling card for the director who has a nice touch w/the material when it does work.

This movies supports what most of us already know. A good trailer does not always mean a good movie and a couple of good actors do not as well. It had some good moments but they were few and far between. Disappointing !

If I had read this logline first, I would have passed on watching this incredible film. It is NOT an action drama about a hitman seeking revenge, and anyone thinking it is will be sorely disappointed (likely the reason for the low rating and some of the negative reviews here). It is a poignant, gritty crime drama about a mob enforcer seeking redemption. Heartbreaking, haunting and hopeful in the end, it is worth watching for the performance of Elle Fanning alone. The characters are well-drawn, the acting superb, the writing is compelling and the directing is intelligent - focussing on the aftermath and reactions to acts of extreme violence rather than going for visual shock value. The soundtrack also deserves a mention, supporting the plot without overwhelming it, in particular Fanning's a capella impromptu solo. This film deserves way more attention than it got and if it suffers from anything, it's poor marketing. Highly recommended.

If you looking for a straight drama this movie will be good for you. Personally I love it it's a good movie without any complication.

IMBD description is not accurate. Quick start followed by disconnected series of events that lead to a dissapointing ending. I was bored 1/4 of the way in and it never got much better.

This film tells the story of two people on the run for different reasons.

It has an engaging story, and the ending is certainly unexpected. Acting is good as well, I have always liked Ben Foster and Elle Fanning.