Indie Film Review “Pursued” The desire to right wrongs takes a desperate, tense, and deadly turn
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First, the Recap:
The aim to do good should normally be seen as a, well, good thing. When our mindsets are such that we see the world through an uncompromising eye, anything that would stand out as injustice or in need of correction becomes the goal we seek to attain. However, there is also the undeniable fact that if a circumstance that might put us in real danger by taking the actions we deem necessary to see things made right comes around….do we still follow our hearts….or be dissuaded instead?
For 17-year old Lark (Madison Lawlor), life has already taken an impactful and painful path due to an incident two years prior. Now, still the overall idealistic person she strives to be, Lark suddenly finds herself inadvertently caught up in the dark deeds of a serial killer, Marc Frank (Angus Macfadyen). Now wishing to protect her friends and her Mom from a monster, Lark chooses a radical plan to draw out the killer….by making herself his next target.
Next, my Mind:
Situational trauma from the past, lingering yearning for genuine love, seeing the world through an impassioned attitude and the foundational desire to just do GOOD when something wicked is occurring, this 106-minute indie feature film from writer/director/producer Jeffrey Obrow, producer Peter Leidel, and co-producers Julia Verdin, Cher Summers, and Tim Clawson might at FIRST seem a tad too far-fetched in its ultimate premise than one would choose to engage with. But folks, this is FICTION and it is CINEMA meant, in this case, to be entertaining while still managing to address life issues and provide a character-driven story that DOES deliver when it comes down to it. The film is well-grounded, and carries a specific style, air, mood, and tone that indie film is always adept at conveying no matter WHAT the core gist of the effort is…..basic relatability. I’ve said this countless times when reviewing independent projects, and it honestly IS a point to be considered when viewing this.
Finding its momentum through the tale of a teenaged girl, whose own past hurts actually drive her heart to do good when things seem sideways, getting mixed up in the affairs and nasty intentions of a serial killer and those he’s targeting that must be stopped via the only way she sees fit to initiate given the accidental nature through which she got involved, the sincere dramatic tension and thriller aspects meant to grip us remain consistently present, building with slowly but purposefully intentionality, and coming together in a manner that befits the chosen direction of the narrative. Within all this evolving chaos, are there perhaps certain instances that cross the TOTAL believability and/or reality scale, sure. Given the grander predicaments and precarious complexities of the story’s objectives, it would almost go without saying that things might get a little over-the-top at times. Yet, in all truth, can we not choose to push this aside for the sake OF some good old fashioned suspense-filled diversion?? Seriously. Yes, some standard genre tropes are in play. But SO WHAT?? Relax. Enjoy.
Teenage angst, familial dynamics, the actualities of relationships and their associated ups and downs, seeking of forgiveness and/or absolution, reconciling the past and its pains, looking to truly see justice prevail, fighting for a cause, being willing to put yourself out there for the sake of it, having the soul to guard the wellbeing of those we cherish the most, both rational and (admittedly) irrational decision making and the subsequent ramifications and/or consequences of both, finding faith in others to help (even if some might be slightly reluctant at first!), and believing we CAN do what’s best (even if sometimes reckless!) are all thematic tangents that are illustrated in the course of the film. The finale is most assuredly right on track for the genre this film so consummately represents, and even if it is WHAT we see coming or at least anticipate FOR this narrative’s endgame….SO WHAT?? Does that, or more so SHOULD it, take away from that “sit-back-and-relish-the-ride” vibes? Heck no. At least in this critic’s opinion!
I will preface this next part in saying that there ARE plenty of occasions where the cast we’re given can make, or still break, what COULD have been a mediocre film had there been other less-known people involved. Personally, the case here was the former, as some much known talent was aligned with this project as well as newer (all-around) up and comers like the first actress, Lawlor, in her lead role as Lark, a teenager currently facing all the things that teenagers do while dealing with what she feels was a disastrous decision in her past that she carries still. Striving to just be happy and successful with the future wide open, things take a decidedly troublesome turn when a series of events gets her involuntarily trapped in the web of a killer. Set on preventing him from doing more harm than already caused, Lark goes on a crusade to do so, dragging others into it as well. How she handles it all becomes the nucleus of the story, and Lawlor does put forth an engaging, energetic, vulnerable, credible performance throughout, making us root for Lark to succeed no matter what, wanting the character’s innate sense of idealism to win, and save, the day.
“Breakfast Club”, “Pretty In Pink”, and “Sixteen Candles” alum Molly Ringwald plays Carol, Lark’s mother who does her level best to keep her daughter’s hopes and dreams alive while also chasing her own newfound potential for love, even at the hesitations of a protective child. Once Carol is immersed into more than she ever realizes with her new beau, it is up to Lark to rescue her mom from a BIG mistake that could cost more than just her feelings. Frankly, it was simply awesome to see Ringwald on screen again, and a joy to know the actress remains in the biz doing what she excels at. Sam Trammell is Jack, a teacher at Lark’s high school who really gets himself in a bind when grudgingly becoming wrapped up in her journey for justice. Not wishing to see her hurt yet knowing his entire career is in jeopardy if and when he aids her, Jack’s sense of understandable caution may get tossed to the wind when it is apparent Lark isn’t going to be halted from her intended actions, nor will it be an endeavor that is remotely safe. How this turns out for Jack will be seen, and Trammel exudes that “everyman” aura that fits so perfectly with this character.
Taylor Blackwell is Nicole, Lark’s best friend and confidant who is yet another voice of opposition when realizing what Lark is messed up in and how she is really wanting to proceed to catch a killer. But, in valid BFF fashion, Nicole stands by her friend, even when attempting to be a much more reasonable voice of conscious when things really start to become genuinely dangerous. I loved Blackwell’s manner here, poise mixed with bubbly personality and abject apprehension as things unfold, a source of humor and empathy. Joel Courtney is Kris, Lark’s longstanding boyfriend who may just get himself excused from her life after a party incident causes friction between them. Unwilling to give up on what they could still have, of forgiveness exists, Kris does what he can to remain in the picture without overtly being intrusive in Lark’s goings on…until perhaps he has no choice but to play hero. Again, it’s one of those performances that completely suits the character, and Courtney embodies both cad and champion well.
“Braveheart” veteran Macfadyen arrives full-on with an understated and blatant demeanor of creepiness and flat-out unsettling, calculating menace through his turn here as Mark Frank, a manipulative, starkly aggressive man whose disposition towards the women he goes after is anything but kind. When his proclivities end up unexpectedly drawing the attention of Lark and her investigative, morality-driven intent to seek him out and stop him, Mark makes it a point to showcase just how serious he is while playing along, hoping to end her like he’s ended so many others. Macfadyen deftly presents this character with devilish purpose and disarming eeriness that causes you to want nothing more than for his capture or demise to come about. This, of course, is a testament to the actor’s skills he brings to the proceedings. This ensemble as it is presides over the film with the wealth of combined acting prowess they possess as a cohesive unit, again adeptly delivering the performances that end up making this film well above average.
Supporting turns are made by Paul Sorvino as Nicole’s well-meaning grandfather, real-life UFC/MMA star Miesha Tate as Drea, a friend of Lark and Kris’ trainer who, needless to say, gets to lay down a well-deserved beating in the film, along with Shawn Christian, Ivan Mok, Wyntergrace Williams, Texas Battle, David Mattey, Gabriela Quezada, Anton Narinskiy, Alice Ziolkoski, Donald Mills, Jenny Purtee, Dianna Aguilar, Ranjiv Perera, Josiah Lipscomb, Matthew Marradi, Princeton Perez, Summer Harlow, Frederick Koehler, Tim Sitarz, Paul Schackman, Duncan Anderson, Tiffany Milian and others. So, in total, “Pursued” is a wholly stimulating thriller that yields plenty of entertainment while also imparting the thematic lessons that indie cinema is so often known for, taking on a human approach to its resolve that, in spite of the scenario depicted, allows it to just be accessible and an escape from absolute reality for a spell.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
