DEADFALL
US, 2011, 95 minutes, Colour.
Eric Bana, Olivia Wilde, Charlie Hunham, Sissy Spacek, Kris Kristofferson, Kate Mara, Treatt Williams.
Directed by Stefan Ruzowitsky.
Deadfall is a thriller set on the American- Canadian border. We are introduced to a brother and sister, Addison and Liza (Eric Bana and Olivia Wilde). They have robbed a bank and are moving towards Canada when their driver has an accident and they are forced to part and move towards the border each in their own way. Addison’s way is one of violence, many murders,being surrounded in an old farmhouse, eventually getting out, a confrontation with a family and with Liza.
In the meantime, we are also introduced to a young boxer, getting out of prison for taking the fall, going to his manager to get his money, a fight and his thinking he had killed the manager. It is he who picks up Liza, travelling together, falling in love. He is on his way home for Thanksgiving dinner with his parents, Sissy Spacek and Kris Kristofferson. Also in the picture is a young FBI Deputy, in love with Jay (Kate Mara) and her brutish sheriff father, Treat Williams.
There are some questions and improbabilities in the relationship between Addison and Liza, especially at the end when she opts for Jay rather than Addison.
In many ways a ‘take it or leave it’ thriller, directed by Austrian director, Stefan Ruzowitsky who directed The Inheritors as well as the excellent drama, Counterfeiter.
1. The title, animal trap? The experience of the criminals, the innocents, the ending?
2. The American- Canadian border, Winter, the snowscapes, the highway, blockages, homes, isolation, the lakes, the snow, the storms? The musical score?
3. Addison and Liza, Theo, the casino, the robbery, the escape? Theo and the deer, the crash, the car destroyed? The patrolman, murdered? Addison as a murderer, violence? Dividing the money, his escape, the blood trail? Liza and her character, relationship with Addison, love, dependence, hitching a ride?
4. The introduction to Addison and Liza, grim, relationship, planning the rendezvous? Violence and no scruples?
5. Jay, in prison, serving his time, the past crime, pulling the fight, the phone calls, talking to his mother, planning to be home for Thanksgiving?
6. Jay meeting the manager, the quarrel, the money issue, the fraud, Jay hitting the manager, thinking him dead?
7. Jay, the encounter with Liza, talking, neither telling the truth? Giving her a lift? The dangerous driving, moving to the Canadian border, the relationship, love? The phone call and her talking with Addison? Explaining her situation?
8. June, her character, as a mother, relationship with Chet, his going hunting, his reaction to his son, stern?
9. Hanna, FBI Deputy, the strong character, wanting to go on the hunt for the criminals, relationship with her father, his being difficult, not wanting her to go? The visit to June, the friendship? With Jay? Her father not allowing her to go in pursuit of the criminals?
10. Jay arriving home, reunited with his mother, the attitude of his father? Hanna and her visit? Introducing Liza? being at home in the family?
11. Addison, his wound, killing people on the way who stood in his path, his violence, with the police, the build-up to his time in the barn, with the owner, the shootout? Confrontation with Liza? His death?
12. June, her reaction to the situation, Addison, her resorting to the gun?
13. The truth about Liza and Addison, Jay and his reaction, with Liza? The future?
