Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Sept 12, 2014 18:25:51 GMT -6
variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-no-good-deed-1201304706/
Home invader Idris Elba terrorizes housewife Taraji P. Henson in this routine thriller.
Dennis Harvey
Mediocre thriller “No Good Deed” stars Idris Elba as an escaped con terrorizing housewife Taraji P. Henson on the proverbial dark and stormy night. Opened in the U.S. and Canada by Sony without press previews, and reportedly shot over two years ago, this uninspired effort looks to make a few quick bucks in hardtops before finding a more apt home in small-screen formats.
Colin Evans (Elba) was strongly suspected of guilt in the disappearance and presumed deaths of five young women, but evidence could only be found to convict him on one barroom-brawl manslaughter charge. Five years later he’s up for parole, but when the board reviewing his case denies his release, he violently escapes from the van taking him back to prison. After paying a visit to a former g.f. (Kate del Castillo) who’s understandably not at all pleased to see him, he crashes his stolen car and lands on the suburban Georgia doorstep of Henson’s Terri.
She’s a former state prosecutor turned unhappy stay-at-home mom to two young children, particularly since her lawyer husband (Henry Simmons) neglects them all. As he’s taken off for a golfing weekend, she’s alone with the kids when Colin shows up, pretending to be an innocent crash victim who just needs to call a tow truck. After a long buildup in which Terri’s flirtatious BFF Alexis (Leslie Bibb) stops by for a predictably ill-fated “girls’ night,” heroine begins to grasp she’s dealing with one very dangerous “malignant narcissist” (as a court expert put it) at around the 50-minute mark.
Ensuing action is tamely PG-13 in terms of graphic violence. Despite competent performances and packaging, dialogue and situations in Aimee Lagos’ script are too routine to create much excitement. Nor does Brit TV veteran Sam Miller (making his first theatrical feature in 15 years) contribute much in the way of notable style, atmosphere or suspense. With tech/design contributions equally pro but undistinguished, the overall effect is dullish and forgettable.
Film Review: 'No Good Deed'
Reviewed at Rainbow Market Square Cinemas, Toronto, Sept. 12, 2014. MPAA rating: PG-13. Running time: 84 MIN.
Production
A Sony Pictures release (U.S./Canada) of a Screen Gems presentation of a Will Packer production. Produced by Packer and Lee Clay. Executive producers, Idris Elba, Glenn S. Gainor, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Rob Hardy, Taraji P. Henson, Aimee Lagos, Lindsay Williams.
Crew
Directed by Sam Miller. Screenplay, Aimee Lagos. Camera (color, HD), Michael Barrett; editors, Jim Page, Randy Bricker; music, Michael Barrett; production designer, Chris Cornwell; costume designer, Keith G. Lewis; art director, Michael Ward; set decorator, Melinda Sanders; sound mixer (Dolby Digital/Datasat), Mary H. Ellis; re-recording mixers, Kevin O'Connell, Will Riley; supervising sound editor, Riley; stunt coordinator, Larnell Stovall; 1st assistant director, Mark Anthony Little; casting, George Pierre.
With
Idris Elba, Taraji P. Henson, Leslie Bibb, Kate del Castillo, Henry Simmons, Frank Brennan, Kenny Alfsonso, Mirage Moonschein, Wilbur Fitzgerald, Kelly O'Neal, Tatom Pender, Dolan Wilson
Home invader Idris Elba terrorizes housewife Taraji P. Henson in this routine thriller.
Dennis Harvey
Mediocre thriller “No Good Deed” stars Idris Elba as an escaped con terrorizing housewife Taraji P. Henson on the proverbial dark and stormy night. Opened in the U.S. and Canada by Sony without press previews, and reportedly shot over two years ago, this uninspired effort looks to make a few quick bucks in hardtops before finding a more apt home in small-screen formats.
Colin Evans (Elba) was strongly suspected of guilt in the disappearance and presumed deaths of five young women, but evidence could only be found to convict him on one barroom-brawl manslaughter charge. Five years later he’s up for parole, but when the board reviewing his case denies his release, he violently escapes from the van taking him back to prison. After paying a visit to a former g.f. (Kate del Castillo) who’s understandably not at all pleased to see him, he crashes his stolen car and lands on the suburban Georgia doorstep of Henson’s Terri.
She’s a former state prosecutor turned unhappy stay-at-home mom to two young children, particularly since her lawyer husband (Henry Simmons) neglects them all. As he’s taken off for a golfing weekend, she’s alone with the kids when Colin shows up, pretending to be an innocent crash victim who just needs to call a tow truck. After a long buildup in which Terri’s flirtatious BFF Alexis (Leslie Bibb) stops by for a predictably ill-fated “girls’ night,” heroine begins to grasp she’s dealing with one very dangerous “malignant narcissist” (as a court expert put it) at around the 50-minute mark.
Ensuing action is tamely PG-13 in terms of graphic violence. Despite competent performances and packaging, dialogue and situations in Aimee Lagos’ script are too routine to create much excitement. Nor does Brit TV veteran Sam Miller (making his first theatrical feature in 15 years) contribute much in the way of notable style, atmosphere or suspense. With tech/design contributions equally pro but undistinguished, the overall effect is dullish and forgettable.
Film Review: 'No Good Deed'
Reviewed at Rainbow Market Square Cinemas, Toronto, Sept. 12, 2014. MPAA rating: PG-13. Running time: 84 MIN.
Production
A Sony Pictures release (U.S./Canada) of a Screen Gems presentation of a Will Packer production. Produced by Packer and Lee Clay. Executive producers, Idris Elba, Glenn S. Gainor, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Rob Hardy, Taraji P. Henson, Aimee Lagos, Lindsay Williams.
Crew
Directed by Sam Miller. Screenplay, Aimee Lagos. Camera (color, HD), Michael Barrett; editors, Jim Page, Randy Bricker; music, Michael Barrett; production designer, Chris Cornwell; costume designer, Keith G. Lewis; art director, Michael Ward; set decorator, Melinda Sanders; sound mixer (Dolby Digital/Datasat), Mary H. Ellis; re-recording mixers, Kevin O'Connell, Will Riley; supervising sound editor, Riley; stunt coordinator, Larnell Stovall; 1st assistant director, Mark Anthony Little; casting, George Pierre.
With
Idris Elba, Taraji P. Henson, Leslie Bibb, Kate del Castillo, Henry Simmons, Frank Brennan, Kenny Alfsonso, Mirage Moonschein, Wilbur Fitzgerald, Kelly O'Neal, Tatom Pender, Dolan Wilson