Legacy

Legacy is the second film from up and coming director/writer Thomas Ikimi and serves as further evidence that this young man is sure to be a source of great films in the near future.

This time he is armed with a stellar cast (Idris Elba is excellent and gives a most harrowing and unique performance), a dedicated crew and far less of the creative restrictions he experienced while making his micro budget first film, Limbo.

This is a dark and tense psychological thriller with a strong focus on the psychology so that the viewer must constantly question themselves throughout the complex plot. We are left often doubting our own conclusions just as quickly as we became certain of them.

I had a few gripes with the casting and thought that Clarke Peters was slightly out of place portraying a covert and deadly Black ops soldier. Also Monique Gabriela Curnen (who nevertheless gives a good performance) didn't quite feel the right choice for her role as Idris' past love interest. It's not all bad though as Eamonn Walker, Joe Holt and Lara Pulver were all excellently cast resulting in some particularly gripping scenes whenever they shared the screen with Idris Elba.

All in all this is a thinking person's film, don't let Idris Elba's all action persona falsely paint your expectations of what this film is about. If you like The Jacket, Jacob's Ladder or Open Your Eyes (Abre los ojos) then you should appreciate and enjoy this film. This Legacy will leave you with questions, but are you sharp enough to decipher the answers?

It seems like for most people this movie is anything but "Legacy" building. But taking the performance by Idris Elba alone this should merit and have been scored higher. Add to that an unusual story that has more to deliver than the obvious and you actually should have a winner. Maybe people felt this was marketed like an action movie (when it's more a thriller with some guts and especially something worth to think about too), I can't tell.

What I can say, is that the movie delivers on its thriller element and on being not only claustrophobic but getting you into the mind of Idris character. Not an easy feat, but achieved almost seamlessly by the movie. So while you might have issues with some of the directors choices in the story department, you might want to give this movie a chance! It deserves one

I like to believe I am a man who prefers the different type of story and something that's a bit engaging and new. Legacy definitely offers that.

It takes place in a hotel room where Malcolm Gray (Idris Elba) uncovers a scandal linked with his brother who is a senator. All the while having flashbacks of his time on the force with his comrades and what he went through.

It's intense, gripping and you are never bored. Elba is truly fantastic and shows his range beyond Stringer Bell. The whole cast is amazing and I keep wishing Eamonn Walker had more scenes!!!! The acting throughout was truly amazing and the writing was clever as well as the direction that really drew you in to this puzzle of a film.

I do think there are a few things that could have made it more claustrophobic and emphasized the lonesome nature of this story but nothing in the world can ever be perfect. The film does enough to make it a must-watch.

In the interest of full disclosure, I let any reader know that I know the writer and director of the movie. However, what I aimed to provide here is an unbiased review based on our thoughts and observations as a person who has a great appreciation for cinema. I think generally speaking when you have relatively small films, which have not been distributed widely there is a reliance on those who actually saw the film to give their input. I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Tribeca premiere of the film and will try to provide my impression and humble opinion. First of I think it is quite difficult to pigeonhole the film, but since most people ask for some kind of points of reference when talking about a film, I'd say it's the Manchurrian Candidate, meets Phone Booth, meets Fight Club with some Hitchcock flair. Yea, I know not very succinct, but the best I can do. The movie relies heavily on the solid script and acting prowess of the lead, Idris Elba since the majority of the movie takes place in a rundown hotel room. Since it's a psychological thriller, which deals heavily with the distortion of reality, the success or failure of the movie lies squarely on Mr. Elba's shoulders. He showcases his potential as leading man and ability to be a commanding presence on screen. Overall, I think he did a very good job, even though I didn't fully agree with all of the choices he made with the character. The twists and turns and attention to detail with which the script was written require a good deal of concentration from the audience, but I think challenging content is something popular cinema has been extremely short on in recent years. I think working within the budget constraints ( the equivalent of less than 3 seconds in any Michael Bay chase sequence), well written script, tight acting and compelling story line make this an enjoyable movie, especially for anyone starving for intelligent and ambitious film making.

I was shocked when I looked this movie up to see that its rating. For a film with a smaller budget it is excellent. Fans of The Wire will be pleased to see Idris Elba in a challenging role. Fans of Batman Begins/The Dark Knight, will recognize Joe Chill and Detective Ramirez. Eamonn Walker plays a sympathetic antagonist and brother to Idris Elba.

The film itself takes place after a failed mission and Malcom Gray (Idris Elba) holds up in a dingy apartment alone. As the film proceeds it becomes clear that not everything is what it seems. For a low budget psychological thriller, there is quite a lot of action.

Sadly, I think this movie is destined to be under-rated and under- appreciated. Give it a chance, you won't be disappointed.