Few Options

I grabbed this movie off the shelves of my local library without much thought, because they were closing in a few minutes and I didn't have time to make a proper selection.

When I got home and looked more closely at the cover, I thought, 'Oh, great. This can't be much good.'

Surprise, surprise.

The plot is far from a new one: convicted felon gets out of prison and must grapple with the real world. Old associates make themselves known, and have no good in store.

'Frank' played by Kenny Johnson, is our ex-con. Frank is perennially confused and even a tad bumbling. He quickly learns of the new complexities of the world he's been absent from for the last 22 years, and is quick to give up any notion he's ever going to have a normal life again.

Enter his old gang and boss, the only family willing to take him back, but at a terrible price. Frank is then made an offer that he cannot refuse, or he will die.

While the low-budget production makes itself glaringly obvious from the start, as well as a few bad-acting hic-cups here and there, the story rapidly develops into something intriguing and resourceful. What will our protagonist do? What will his solution be? How will he get out of this?

The movie is a delight, and the soundtrack is excellent.

Hang on don't turn off that TV. The movie has a surprising twist to it. Throughout the movie of course there's much gloom and doom.

A guy who can't seem to catch a break. I was very critical and kept thinking what a weak guy. Get a grip. Someone not too bright, had a rough childhood maybe, made dumb decisions. Well keep watching. The guy has a chance to move on to a better life but seems to fall into another dumpy shady world of losers. As I watch it, I'm thinking to myself, how can anyone choose to live in such a dark shady existence. Bad company can ruin your life. Great ending. Watch it to the end.

I was drawn up in to the story from the beginning, talk about a character driven plot which took an almost eastern perspective in learning to deal with a constant torrent of life's vicissitudes focused on one outcome - being free of it all. Kenny Johnson gives a solid performance as an ex con trying to escape a sociopath gang boss played very effectively by Brad Dourif. Rainn Wilson demonstrates a range of talent that was unexpected as a spineless cousin making me wish he would show up in more straight dramatic roles diverging from his usual comic characters. The end was completely unexpected yet believable. Impressive well written and directed script with a great cast, good music and compelling performances made me glad I saw this one at the Valley Film Festival.

Few Options is a drama of moody temperament with solid acting, particularly from the star, Kenny Johnson. It is a fish-out-of-water redemption story set in present-day Los Angeles.

After serving a 22-year sentence, Frank Connor, played by Kenny Johnson, exits the gates of Terminal Island and steps out to navigate a new world of uncertainty exhibiting a strong case of culture shock. Having no exit plan upon his release and less than two-hundred dollars, no car, phone, or comforts characteristic of the modern day, Frank asks his cousin (Rainn Wilson) for a place to stay until he gets back on his feet. Cousin Don agrees to let Frank stay in his garage for a short time, despite his wife's thinly-veiled disapproval. Having spent half his life in prison, Frank confronts immediate challenges that make finding honest work difficult.

Aptly titled Few Options, this story culminates into an unpredictable twist after Frank gets reacquainted with his once friend/partner in crime, Russ (David Marciano), who offers him a doorman job at the seedy strip club he manages, which leads to distraction from the alluring (and somewhat strung out) exotic dancer Helen, played by Erin Daniels. Chris Pendler, the owner of the "gentleman's club," is a ruthless criminal, but one who never seems to get his hands dirty. Pendler's role is played by veteran actor Brad Dourif, a true standout in the movie.

Few Options gets a four-star rating from its well-written script and photography. The movie is George Pappy's debut as both writer and director, and the acting throughout the majority of the story is top notch.

I attended the screening of this movie last year and very much enjoyed it. It follows the experiences of an ex-con just released from prison as he attempts to reintegrate with society. The cast features such notables as Kenny Johnson, Rainn Wilson and Brad Dourif. Excellent acting, directing and screen writing! It's amazing what the cast and crew has done with a limited budget - the film has some really exceptional storytelling and you become fully invested in the success of the main character despite the feeling that all the odds are stacked against him. If only more movies made this kind of effort to develop the psyches of their main characters!