Much has been written relating to the dire state of the American legal justice system, and there’s by no means a scarcity of tales that try to make clear the issue. Independent filmmakers usually churn out oft-uninspired riffs on the horror and sci-fi genres, however not often will we see movies like Penitentia. Writer/director Chris Lawing has crafted a grounded story of a younger lawyer caught between his lofty profession aspirations and exposing malfeasance within the Kansas Department of Corrections. Legal dramas are largely a hit-or-miss affair, however the filmmaker properly retains the give attention to the characters and never the courtroom. If there’s something we don’t want, it’s one other movie with prolonged sequences of legal professionals yelling in a courtroom.
Alejandro “Ale” Villacano (Glenn Stanton) is a younger and promising lawyer with a background in contrast to nearly some other. He spent years locked away as a convicted felon, solely to reach finally getting acquitted. While he readily makes an attempt to maintain his previous below lock and key, it proved formative for his understanding of the authorized system in Kansas. His former life is prior to now, or so he thought. Alejandro’s cellmate occurs upon Ale as he leaves a elaborate restaurant together with his girlfriend Beth (Kate Flanagan). Begging for assist in liberating his sister from abuse within the native penitentiary, JD (Rob Wilson) enlists the reluctant lawyer for assist. With the assistance of his mentor and ethical compass, Marvin (Michael W. Schwartz), Ale uncovers an setting of pervasive abuse and corruption.
“…Ale uncovers an setting of pervasive abuse…”
The bigger story doesn’t scream originality, however the execution is on level. Best of all, Penitentia serves as a promising introduction to Stanton and his potential as a performer. He’s in nearly each scene and manages to hold your complete movie on his shoulders. With the suitable materials and additional growth of his chops, Stanton is in line to change into a widely known star. The supporting solid additionally greater than holds their very own on this modest manufacturing. Admittedly, at instances, Lawing introduces too many characters that don’t add a lot objective to the general plot. There are about two to a few characters who might most likely be excised with out detriment to the cumulative expertise.
Perhaps most noteworthy of all is that this drama doesn’t really feel like an indie movie or junior manufacturing. It’s usually superior to what related ilk one would discover on primary tv, and that’s an indication of polish and maturity on the director’s half. The pacing drags a bit in direction of the latter third, however that’s sure to occur when so many narrative threads are within the means of being tied collectively.
Pentitentia is a refreshing change of tempo from the dollar-store vampires and stiff performances we frankly get too usually from indie filmmakers. It’s nice to see the tackling of great points in America and never simply pure escapism. At the very least, one will acquire a newfound appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes in our legal justice system.
