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Cummings is a superbly energetic, intense, charismatic and more than a little out of control. His combination of confidence and fear is played to perfection, like a mind-boggling case of pre-wedding jitters. He's so single-minded that he basically ignores everyone around him, which means that most other characters deliberately remain slightly out of focus. Both Newcomb and McCabe have some strong scenes along the way as the only people who actually seem to care about him.

The way guilt and paranoia creep in to consume Jordan is as fascinating as it is terrifying. It's never quite clear why he becomes so determined to investigate who is running this anonymous hook-up system. When he finally finds answers, he's even more unnerved than he was before, both because of what this resoluteness says about him and the bigger possibilities that exist for people to abuse the public information that's readily available out there about all of us.

themes, language, violence, sexuality

8.Oct.21

Graham delivers another fierce performance at the centre, playing Andy as a lively and smart guy who has let things slide around him and is perhaps now in real trouble. This adds shifting tension to each relationship he has, and the ensemble around him replies with equal levels of intensity and nerve. Standouts include Robinson and Panthaki, while Flemying goes over the top as the villainous rival. Yes, some moments are overplayed, with some crazed desperation and careless behaviour. But smaller moments are subtle and moving.

A range of themes churn under the surface, mainly circling around various loyalties and betrayals between colleagues. And the examination of the perils of living life on the edge is particularly vivid in quite a few characters. Still, the documentary filmmaking, combined with some melodramatic plot points, leaves the movie feeling more like a technical wonder with great performances than a properly involving movie. It's punchy and entertaining, but it doesn't leave us with much to ponder.

themes, language

1.Oct.21 lff

This sense of obliviousness is what makes Mikey oddly likeable. And Rex plays him as a bundle of energy, always in motion, charming everyone he meets with his open-hearted conversation. Even people who should know better can't resist his disarming chatter. And Rex creates strong connections with Elrod, Son and Darbone, who play their roles as if they're not acting at all. The dialog flows naturally between them, even when things get pointed. Or when the plot points click loudly into place.

The film is too long to sustain its meandering pace, mainly because the story structure leaves us impatient for the other shoes to fall into place. But each scene is hugely entertaining, and often laugh-out-loud hilarious, as we watch Mikey try to juggle so many balls at once. Baker is gifted at capturing the organic rhythms of community life and injecting electrical energy into vividly colourful set-pieces. And the film also carries a nice sting in its depiction of the American dream.

themes, language, violence, sexuality

7.Oct.21 lff