Beneath the Veneer of a Murder

Beneath the Veneer of a Murder is the latest film from director Angel Connell and is more experimental in nature than his last two films "Stocking Stuffers" and "Shes So Cold". It opens with a phone conversation over the beginning credits and poem from an unknown author which implies that all may not be as it seems.

Then the scene itself comes on. Set in the basement of a house and starring Eric Scheiner and Christy Scott Cashman the scene involves the murder mentioned in the title and is quite riveting. This scene is very well done in every way and features very convincing performances by both actors. The lighting and camera-work is also very well done and includes a couple of complex dolly shots that work seamlessly in the scene, adding to it without calling attention to the camera. Connell really knows how to make camera moves work within his story. The editing is also seamless. Everything goes together so well you don't even notice the editing, all as it should be.

We get another phone conversation over the closing credits and find out that everything is quite different than what we believed up to this point. It is quite a surprise. My only complaint about this film is that the story told in the phone conversations is probably more complex than it need to be. Also it is difficult to read the poem at the beginning and concentrate on what is being said at the same time. Watching the film a few times will definitely pay dividends. All in all Angel Connell has directed another winner. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do on a feature.