The Narrows (2008)

A Disappointing Continuation

I saw this movie before reading any reviews, and I thought it was very funny. I was very surprised to see the overwhelmingly negative reviews this film received from critics.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

This didn't sound too appealing to me and there are no big names in the cast, but I have to say it is a gripping and enjoyable story. The acting is superb and the relationships between the characters well thought out.It's not emotionally draining so to that extent perhaps it lacks a bit of depth, but even so you get to sympathize with the plight of people who don't really fit into the rapidly changing world. The brutality comes with morality albeit not in a conventional form, and there is a sense that everything will turn out OK if you live by that code.A regular college kid whose job is not waiting tables or flipping burgers, but following in the family tradition of gangland crime, is a fascinating take on a familiar theme, and it works really well.Not too demanding but very enjoyable with some fantastic performances.

It would have been better had they casted a different lead in this movie. The story is way too soapish and too straight-to-DVD - everything is so typical and predictable that it's boring. It's a 6 because of the father's acting, and perhaps the mob boss as well. He's so much better than in "Law and Order", which really is insulting his talent as an actor. The son probably is the only actor that really fits this movie - a straight to DVD/soap opera type of role with matching talent for it - too obvious, too superficial, and too enthusiastically played out. I completely disagree with the other reviewer - I won't miss this guy's acting in the future at all.Try The Bronx Story by De Niro et al. Now that's a worthy movie with real interesting story to tell.

Most of the films of this genre are hackneyed remakes of classics with nothing new to add except a new face here and there. This film is obviously tailored to an intelligent novel and the acting is surprisingly tight. Donofrio is outstanding as the bitter old numbers runner who can't seem to get over the death of is saintly Italian wife; not too many clichés there, huh? But he pulls it off with the panache only he can bring to a role. Huzzah for you, Mr. Vincent, you did it again. But as the lead, Kevin Zegers steals the show. Where has this kid been? He is believable, beautiful and serious. I know that the established critics bombed this film, but that's never swayed me all that much. I watch a lot of films and this one, though far from a ten, is a solid seven.

I am not sure if this movie is worth the 8.1 out of 10 it's currently rated at, but its definitely worth a 6 or 7.This movie takes a long time to get going and doesn't really hit its stride until the last third of the movie.Vincent D'Onofrio was brilliant in this, Titus Welliver also puts in a good performance, its worth watching this movie just for those two performances alone. Both of their characters add a little bit of an unexpected twist to the story which makes the payoff of sitting through the whole movie worthwhile.