Blow the Man Down

Starring: Morgan Saylor, Sophie Lowe, June Squibb, Margo Martindale, Gayle Rankin, Marceline Hugot, Annette O'Toole, Will Brittain, Skipp Sudduth

Director: Bridget Savage Cole & Danielle Krudy

In the small fishing town of Easter Cove, Maine, sisters Mary Beth (Morgan Saylor) and Priscilla (Sophie Lowe) have just laid their mother to rest, leaving them penniless, save for their family fishmonger business. A trip to the bar to drink away her sorrows soon turns dangerous for Mary Beth, forcing her to commit murder out of self defense. After disposing of the body, the girls try to resume life as normal but soon discover a knife they used in the disposal is missing. To make matters worse, a dead body then washes up on shore. While not connected to them, it is connected to someone who worked at the Oceanview, a whorehouse posing as a B&B run by one of their mother's friends, Enid (Margo Martindale). For mysterious reasons, locals Susie (June Squibb), Doreen (Marceline Hugot) and Gail (Annette O'Toole) are very interested in shutting Enid's business down. With pressure mounting and the cops (Will Brittain, Skipp Sudduth) getting closer and closer, Mary Beth and Priscilla must either figure a way out of their situation or spiral deeper and deeper down the criminal underbelly that has been exposed in their sleepy town.

The crime thriller genre has helped usher in some major directing names: Christopher Nolan for Memento, Rian Johnson for Brick, as well as the Coen Brothers for Blood Simple. While not quite on the level of these debuts, I feel you can put directors Bridget Savage Cole & Danielle Krudy somewhere on that list for this unique and character driven film. Let's be honest, any film that begins with the unexpected delight of a chorus of singing fisherman is alright in my books.

Growing up in a small town myself, I loved the small town setting of the film. The little details sprinkled in about small town living, such as everyone knowing everyone and their business, are spot on. I also enjoyed how ultimately low stakes the film is. While some people die, there is no large scale or over the top villainous plot. It only concerns the characters in this small town. It reminded me a lot of 2018's Gemini, where there was a central mystery that really only affected the main character.

These aspects also help inform the performances and Morgan Saylor and Sophie Lowe are excellent as the sisters who unfortunately have been exposed to the crime that is running their town. Anyone who saw her turn as Mags Bennett in the second season of Justified knows Margo Martindale can play a great villain. Here, she steals every scene she is in thanks to her perfect line delivery and simmering intensity.

One main issue I have with the film is that I feel like the sisters' story gets lost as the plot progresses. While on the shorter side, there are a lot of side stories and different characters perspectives that the movie follows that push focus away from their story. I'm mostly thinking of any of the scenes concerning the police investigation. I get why it's there, but it cuts any of the natural tension that comes from the sisters' story. It might have been more effective to only follow the sisters and still let the plot happen around them.

While it may be too low key for some, there is still a lot for crime and thriller fans to enjoy including a fantastic sense of setting and a very promising look at up and coming talent behind the camera.

Grade: B

Blow the Man Down is available to stream on Amazon Prime