SMALL TOWN CRIME

US, 2017, 91 minutes, Colour.
John Hawkes, Anthony Anderson, Octavia Spencer, Robert Forster, Clifton Collins Jr, Michael Vartan, Daniel Sunjata, Dale Dickey.
Directed by Eshom Nelms, Ian Nelms.

With the title indicating that this is a film about a small town, it is also a murder investigation, focusing on a police officer who drinks, has been suspended, wants to be officially reinstated. His played by John Hawkes, an excellent character actor who made a not dissimilar thriller at this time, Too Late.

This film boasts a substantial cast with Anthony Anderson taking on a serious role as the policeman’s brother-in-law, with, perhaps surprisingly, Octavia Spencer as his half sister. Michael Vartan and Daniel Sunjata are police officers, generally a step behind the central character. And there are complications with the character actors Robert Forster and Clifton Collins Jr.

The film was made by brothers and some commentators indicate nods to the films of the Coen Brothers.

1. The title? The small town itself, situations, characters, echoes of a Western story?

2. The town, ordinary, homes, bars, drinking, the police precincts, the prostitute areas, wealthy homes? The musical score?

3. Mike Kendall, John Hawkes’ screen presence and performance, edge? Age, life, in the police, the brutal death of his partner, suspension, his drinking, plea to return to work? A moral collapse?

4. His friendship with Teddy, half brother to Teddy’s wife? Their bonding, drinking together, Teddy and his help, the crises, the intervention of his wife, her common sense? The racial themes? The story, comic, serious?

5. The drinking, Mike out in the fields, the discovery of the woman, taking her to hospital, her death? His taking the opportunity to ingratiate himself? The investigation? Police refusal, the two detectives, their personalities, following in his footsteps?

6. Mike and the ups and downs of his life?

7. Mood, Mexican can background, his patter, the range of prostitutes, young, defiant, his control, aiding in the investigation?

8. The murdered girl’s grandfather, the interviews, his interventions, his skill with the gun?

9. The killers, ruthless, building up to the confrontation?

10. The solutions, the crises, Mike handling them? His future?