Indie Film Review “Finding Nicole” A deeply personal, traumatic, ultimately inspirational journey through the desolation of domestic abuse
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
Unnecessary violence. While it should be a given that, really, ANY form of violence is not a welcome thing, we also realize the world in which we live is uncertain and filled with examples of times when it is used in the most heinous of ways. Especially relevant when in the context of abusive relationships, where what was once founded in love has turned into a living nightmare, these situations are ones that happen far too often….and plainly just need to be stopped.
In Michigan, a courtroom proceeding sees testimony from Nicole Beverly (Kaiti Wallen), who begins painting a portrait of precisely that form of circumstance involving the man she loved, Warren (Mari G.), whose nurturing nature was only a facade for what he was really like. Even as Nicole indicates everything she tried in order to get her and the couple’s children away from him, Warren’s obsession and highly harmful attitudes towards her left two choices….abscond completely from it all, or take BACK her life.
Next, my Mind:
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to see plenty of films that are based on true events. One immutable fact remains….REAL LIFE is inherently the most impactful means to convey necessary, imperative, awareness-raising, and consistent messages about those issues in this world that NEED addressing and that we should be reminded of. As such, the new 90-minute indie feature film from prolific writer/director/producer Harley Wallen proves this point then solidly cements the notions of domestic violence’s abhorrent reality and the ramifications upon those who have or even are confronting it with equally persuasive measure. Along with writer Geoffrey D. Calhoun, writer/co-producer Nicole Beverly (whose actual experiences and book this film is founded on), producer Kaiti Wallen, co-producers Joseph Williamson, Joseph Victor, and Jeffrey C. Berry plus executive producers Jamie Nicole, Pierre S. Aristide, Sergey Reznikov, and Marna Clowney-Robinson, this is indeed an affecting illustration of a hotbed topic being portrayed exactly as it should be….with genuine potency and provocative punch so as to MAKE it STICK.
With the cornerstone story in question having also been seen through shows like “Inside Evil with Chris Cuomo” and “Til Death Do Us Part”, plus through the best selling book Beverly herself wrote, the narrative that chronicles young love beginning, at first seem legitimate and steady, but then turns into nothing but an exercise in constant fear, threat, and even murderous intent from an abusive, alcoholic husband towards both his now long-suffering wife AND their children, there’s just no getting past the emotionally draining, deeply sympathetic, and anger-inducing cruelty domestic violence represents. The statistical facts about it, some of which are shared here prior to the film’s end credits, are just jarring and so tragic in and of themselves, and again, being made aware of these SHOULD be prompting us overall to be SO MUCH MORE willing to do what it takes to see these situations COME TO AN END. Period. To allow anything like this to just continue or for us to just grow apathetic to it really is a crime towards the women facing these monsters, much less if they feel there ISN’T actual, caring, viable support when they NEED it.
The film is executed in a perfect manner to allow us to follow the story from start to finish in a way that makes sense and allows for the purposeful building of Beverly’s story via the courtroom proceedings that highlight Warren Beverly’s trial and all the varied testimonies that are shared. Meanwhile, flashbacks to specific timeframes over the years the abuse and its ongoing presence was unfolding that lead up to the trial are effectively depicted, showcasing such a blatant and harrowing deconstruction of a once loving relationship being systematically torn apart by Warren’s devolving, menacing  behaviors that would haunt Nicole for those time spans, forcing her to make choices that would either totally make her LOSE her life (in multiple ways, literally) OR end up causing her to FIGHT BACK and regain everything she had. THAT latter decision is what gives Nicole’s story its weight and relevancy, as we might feel like we hear FAR too often how the former occurs instead, which is just so disheartening. NOT saying ANY of this is EASY, but to KNOW more women ARE standing firm to conquer these situations is inspiring, motivational, and essential.
Thematically, the concepts of relational stress, wanting to do right, doubts and uncertainties, how the signs of possible abusive behavior is present but initially ignored or dismissed as fleeting, an abuser’s manipulative and empty promises of change, trying to find belief and hope things CAN be fixed, the brokenness and humiliation involved, blame shifting, the atmosphere of disquiet abuse causes, impacts on children who get caught in the middle of it all, and discovering the absolute fortitude to take a stand rather than just back down or give up all get screen time here and then some. The finale, while in many respects already knowing how things turned out (even if in a general sense), still carries PLENTY of compelling and challenging power that this critic hopes WILL create an ever-growing tipping point for women coming out of or are still in the midst of domestic violence conditions and can realize THERE IS A WAY OUT, and those who sincerely desire to be of HELP. The more we know about it, the more women that buck fear and step forward in defiance of this abuse, this critic feels there CAN be an END these cycles of pain and true justice done.
Kaiti Wallen has such a natural way about her when she acts, more along the lines of what I sometimes associate with male actors playing an “everyman”. Here, Wallen shines as an “everywoman” though her role as Nicole Beverly. Having met who she thought was the love of her life, Nicole’s furthering of their relationship soon finds them married and seemingly continuing to enjoy life. But, when shades of another side of Warren come into play, she bears with it….at first. When his behavior turns totally violent, Nicole must find it within herself to fight through the frustration, mental and physical abuse, and any inclination of remaining connection with him to expose who Warren really is, and to become a voice of outraged response and beacon of newfound hope for what would becomes millions of women. Wallen exudes that genuine magnitude of both beleaguered vulnerability and steadfast, pent-up anger for justice that perfectly befits the story, especially in portraying a real life person. It’s an energetic, heartening, and often heartbreaking performance to witness given the film’s theme, but Wallen pulls it off with all-out poise and commitment.
Mari G. becomes another in a list of actors over time in films I’ve watched that can so adeptly embody, to the fullest, a character you WILL love and learn to hate through his role as Warren, Nicole’s initially sober and stand up guy….until he is definitively NOT. Slowly but surely starting to indicate he has a darker, troubled side to his demeanor, Warren does love Nicole with everything he has until that possessive, controlling, anger and alcohol-fueled abusive side appears, and doesn’t go away. As his actions keep becoming more and more violently belligerent, Nicole attempts to have him out of her life, which only sends him on an even more desperate and devious path to “win” her back, but instead only escalates the situation with the vile lengths he goes to, or wants to go to, to either be with her or otherwise end everything on a more permanent basis. It’s a scary, wholly unnerving scenario that unfolds, and watching Mari G. navigate Warren’s character through it is truly impressive, as again, he makes you BELIEVE how much this “man” deserves to go down for what he’s done and continues to do. An excellent performance through and through.
Primary supporting roles are made here first from veteran character actor Sean Whalen (Allan in “Twister”) as Warren’s truly slimy attorney Cameron Banks, who has NO compunction about showing just HOW conniving he tries to be in “support” of his dangerous and unstable client. Another veteran presence comes about through Richard Tyson (Crisp in “Kindergarten Cop”) as Judge Carter, the ultimate authority reigning over the Beverly trial and whose no-nonsense attitude towards what he’s heard becomes very evident. Shawntay Dalon plays Shonda Wright, Esq, Nicole’s likewise pragmatic and hell-bent lawyer who does her level best to refute anything Banks states as well as any notion put forth that tries to make Warren even appear “innocent”, all while showing full dedication to Nicole and her well-being. Debra Lamb is Nicole’s highly concerned but also fully adamant mother, Susan, backing her daughter’s fight through also being the protective voice of reason when needed, even if Nicole doesn’t always listen. Blanca Blanco is Katarina Lopez, Nicole’s best friend and someone who has more than one way to help make sure Nicole remains safe!
Additional primary supporting roles arrive from Vida Ghaffari as the NPR host who does the exclusive interview with Nicole, Marcus Woods as Officer Griffin who has a definite hunch about Warren’s lies and attempts to point the finger in Nicole’s direction when confronted about the whole situation, and Pierre S. Aristide as Bobby, a close friend and former police force co-worker of Warren’s who tries to give his friend the benefit of the doubt…until he no longer can. Other supporting turns are made by Michael James Alexander, Shawn Jones, Deon Hunt, Ayden Franklin, Isaiah Franklin, Dominique Alexander, Harley Wallen, Aaron Noble, Cameron Benjamin, Alyssa Caswell, Jeffrey C. Berry, Shelby Bradley, Tandreka Keaton, Jackie Montalvo, Candice Davis-Price, and John Miles. So, in total, “Finding Nicole” carries it’s unflinching message firmly on its sleeve but does so with its indie film character and story-driven appeal squarely in hand, delivering a movie with a message, and one that needs to be absorbed, contemplated, and TAKEN TO HEART so that we CAN see a HALT to domestic violence and those who perpetrate it in order to provide requisite aid and freedom to those who did, and who sadly still do, endure it.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
