Cardinals

Sad, dark, expressive.... acting with expression was well done, characters spot on, this film held my attention easily, made me think, I really enjoyed its quality....

Let me just say the storyline or plot for this movie was phenomenal Kudos to the writers it was a calm and steady pace not slow or boring so I was entertained through out the film, But it never climaxed or hit a high enough level to get my juices going and that's a tragedy to waste such a great storyline & sequence. The actors performed well and the dialogue was sufficient it just wasn't enough. Too many scenes had the actors staring each other down, At times it felt like pulling teeth. They don't speak when they should and they get loose lips when their mouth should be sealed tight. To me that killed alot of the realism the directors or creators were aiming for. This film also had many layers that it never peeled back confining this psychological drama to being a one trick pony. The ending played out and it wasn't the worst ending by any means it was at least understandable but what it didnt do was entertain. That's a no no. I waited the whole movie they give us only one flashback and then just talk minimally to each other and stare back and forth instead of talking while a life hangs in the balance.

All in all I wouldn't recommend this movie to go out of your way to watch because it left so many points on the board by not maximizing the potential of each scene. I would say this film is a little better then average but it's definitely near the top tier independently. This films gets an OK rating.

Ok, I get it's a low budget movie. Acting was fair. The story line above average. However the movie was extremely slow. It never had an exciting moment. The ending was poor. Without spoiling anything, what you are led to believe happened at the end would not have happened by actual law. Can think of a much better ending but I think the person deserved what happened and they just wrote it in the story line. Only watch this if you are extremely bored.

Don't let the low ratings fool you. This is a great debut for Grayson Moore and Aidan Shipley; with very smart direction. Aided by well paced, atmospheric beats, and outstanding performances. This is not your typical character study on a family torn apart by a mistake nor is it your typical picture that follows one woman's redemption arc as she grapples with a mistake that cost her everything. This original script builds tension in the most uncomfortable way and boils over during the final 10 minutes of the film. Some will find the ending unsatisfying, hence the low ratings, but for those who can appreciate the unconventional approach to this story, you'll find it just as satisfying as the first and second act.

Take me to your darkest room. Close every window and lock the door. This is kitchen zink realism. Wow! A film that actually tell you a story with the help of dialogue and images. Who does not want to dazzle you with artistry. Or trying to hide that the story is made up along the way. In "Cardinals" we are offered a story with substance. Plus a cast and a crew who knows how to communicate this and more to us, the audience. I am so grateful. This is the play Sam Shepard never got around to write. "It's also the best film that Atom Egoyan never made." (Andrew Parker TIFF)