MOVIE REVIEW: VENGEANCE

Movie Review by Sergio Martinez

When New York radio journalist Ben Manalowitz (B.J. Novak) receives an unexpected call from the brother of a woman who died of a drug overdose in Texas, he reluctantly agrees to attend her funeral.  Ben had had a relationship with the woman, although without much consequence.

Once there, things begin to take a different turn, especially when the woman's brother, Ty Shaw (Boyd Holbrook), lets him know his suspicions that his sister did not really die of a drug overdose, but was murdered.

Radio journalist Ben (B.F. Novak) gets increasingly
Involved in a case that goes for ordinary to mysterious

Although with some doubts about Ty's assertions - who has no evidence to back up his claims - Ben decides to stay a while longer, since the subject has a lot of potential for his podcasts, as Eloise (Issa Rae), his producer in New York, confirms to him.

More and more involved in the case, Ben begins to discover some facts that would support his suspicions, especially when he meets Quinten Sellers (Ashton Kutcher), a record and video producer.

This film, directed by B.J. Novak, who makes his directorial debut with it, is more than anything else a critical reflection on the clash between two mentalities, the urban one of the New York reporter, versus the more rural and traditional one of Texas. At times there are ironic elements that are very well achieved, although at others there are also certain somewhat stereotypical views. In general, however, it is a film that can be enjoyed, it has an agile pace and there is a certain unpredictability in the outcome of the story. Recommended for being entertaining and at the same time, in a subtle way, including certain reflections on cultural contrasts within American society.

Running time: 1 h 47 min.