Directed By: John Slattery
Written By: Paul Bernham
Cinematography: Mott Hupfel
Editor: Tom McArdle
Cast: Jon Hamm, Tina Fey, Michael Stock, Nick Mohammed, Happy Anderson, Derek Basco, Louisa Krause, Mary Holland, Christopher Denham, Bobbi Kitten
Police Chief Sanders investigates the bizarre murders of two women with the same name and unravels a web of small-town lies. He meets and quickly falls for Rita, a nosy neighbor who is eager to help solve the mystery.
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This is a cute Earnest detective story, that still manages to offer some twist and shocks by the end, even though it plays a little bit more like a personal procedural where we see the crime or least most of the crime before it happens, and we know the motives behind the crimes but we watch as the characters deal with the aftermath and we wait to watch the police slowly figure out what’s going down. As well as provide a romantic comedy element.
what keeps you interested in this film is other than the crime aspect is the lead played by John Hamm and his virginalling relationship with a neighbor of one of the victims played by Tina Faye, and how they play off of each other bonding over the case but then getting to know one another and at first what looks like friendship becomes a slow burn romance that has its own challenges
even though this is based off of a true story, it’s not quite as dark as let’s say a film like Fargo, but it has the characteristics like it’s a lightweight version of it where there is hope and there’s room for more comedic caricatures, but most of the characters are also three-dimensional, even when they feel quite familiar and identifiable
so that in the end, this film doesn’t offer anything new. It could almost be an episode of poker face more shows in that manner like Elsbeth but only here we at least get original characters investigating that makes this film all the more interesting and more of an Odyssey as we get to know everyone involved and don’t know anyone as soon as we come in.
Jon Hamm stars in the film and his old costar from the show MAD MAN John Slattery directs the film. So what while that show has finished this almost feels like a fun side project for them to collaborate on.
The only unbelievable point of the film is that Jon Hamm is a bachelor and he can’t find too many women interested in him throughout except for Tina Fey.
The film at times is a bit offbeat yet traditional. more like a sitcom version of FARGO not the FX series, though it doesn’t feel as deep, but it is filled with strange characters that feel original and comedic at the same time.
The film is enjoyable as long as you don’t put your hopes up as it is more a slow burn character piece with some crime and comedic elements. Don’t expect a big knives out type mystery. just watch and let yourself be charmed by the film. Perfect for the armchair detective in us all.
Grade: B-
Cut To The Chase 