WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
Retribution. Inside of us, its intensity flames up with an ever-building tension and nerve-fraying sense of purpose when someone who has gravely wronged us comes across our paths again, intentionally or otherwise. Fanning the desire to see them pay even more dearly for the transgression than has already been served, how do you plan such a reprisal without losing who you are? For one now aged father, Stan Bukowski (Stephen O’Neil Martin), deep-seeded vindictive thoughts are all that arise within him upon hearing that a killer, William Green (Bill Marrocco), has been released after 35 years in prison for the murder of a young boy, Stan’s son. Having watched his own life and that of wife Rose (Lynne Marietta) fade in heartbroken misery, revenge all but consumes Stan’s mind.
Even as William “reconnects” with his mentally impaired brother Tom (David Weindel), abusing him verbally and physically while attempting to sort out his post-incarceration existence, little does he know about Stan’s anger-fueled notions that boil inwardly against him. Taking meticulous steps to acquire the means to carry out his malicious plan against William, Stan calculatingly uses Tom to ascertain the whereabouts of his target, drawing ever so closer to the endgame. Finally having William within his reach, the two find themselves in a deadly cat and mouse chase whose outcome seems to never be in doubt. However, Stan still comes to a hard realization that craving vengeance is one thing, but having the true fortitude to carry it out is another factor entirely.
Next, my Mind:
Writer/director/co-producer/editor Martin takes on these production-based roles as well as lead actor in this 20-minute short film effort that puts a straightforward spin on the concepts of loss, embittered seeking of requital, and whether the true ability to carry it out exists when the moment arrives. It reflects a test of human nature, but in a very realistic way, not over-the-top, but rather as the film’s title suggests, via a simmering desire, hidden within, burning beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed. Yet, the time indeed arrives, and while the base level of executing recrimination may come about, seeing it through may have different results than anticipated. Stark black & white cinematography emphasizes the dark tone and mood here as well.
Martin does an effective job enacting Stan as the man torn by a wealth of inner conflict over the tragic death of his young son decades ago, dealing with not just his own hurt, but the pain and subsequent fallout occurring with his wife Rose, also wonderfully performed by Marietta, whose fallen into depression and alcohol to cope. Her actual yearning for justice once learning a killer is free again is the driving force behind Stan’s choice to seek out long-awaited retaliation, yet you can also tell there’s another measure of hesitation within him that speaks to him having to face who is really is as a person when considering this course of action. Those moments between Stan and Rose are quite potent when reading between the emotionally-charged lines to the core of their struggle.
Marrocco very much embodies the mindset and actions of a killer, former or not, in playing Green, a hardened man whose anger and generally harsh demeanor still very much exists, as does his curiosity about Stan and his state of being. Watching Green confront his potential fate is solidly presented by Marrocco all the way up to the surprising finale. Other supporting turns are provided by Weindel as Green’s long-suffering brother Tom, Mike Bingham and Chandler Pierce as local detectives bearing bad news, and John McCarthy as Green’s lawyer John Testa. In total, “Slow Burn” provides a credible, convincing picture of the edgier facets of human behavior and honestly can bring to bear the question offered here in its narrative’s premise–what would you do?
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
