Adverse movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE: Adverse

Available in theaters February 12, 2021 and on Video on Demand March 9, 2021

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 34 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

If you enjoy hanging out in the gutter, this is the movie for you. If not, skip this one. It’s an extremely violent, bloody crime flick written and directed by Brian A. Metcalf, who also has a role in the film. It has received a lot of recognition in the film festival circuit for being a gritty action, psychological thriller. The movie is brought to us by Black Jelly Bean Productions. You might not like black jelly beans and you might not like this bloodbath of a movie either.

THINGS I LIKED:

The film has a talented cast, yet doesn’t take full advantage of them, including Mickey Rourke, Lou Diamond Phillips, Penelope Ann Miller, and Sean Astin. Unfortunately, most of them have very small roles. Still, it’s great to see all of them again!
Thomas Ian Nicholas seems to try his hardest in this role, and he also produced the film. He said that his performance was inspired by Robert DeNiro’s Oscar-nominated role in Taxi Driver in 1976. In fact, it’s rumored that he forced the entire crew to only refer to him as “Mr. Bickle” during the entire shoot of this film! You definitely feel his character’s frustration and rage begin to build. Thomas Nicholas was born in Las Vegas, where I live now. Later, he grew up in San Jose near Santa Cruz in California, where I also grew up! They moved to Los Angeles so his mom could pursue her own acting career. His first role was an altar boy in a film with his mom. She has to be thrilled that her son has made it big into the movies!
There’s an entertaining and philosophical twist in a few of the characters that might surprise you.
There have been several different movie posters that give you a different vibe of what the movie is going to be like.
The film was shot in only 25 days.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Act 1 and Act 2 are a bit of a slow burn, but Act 3 is a whirlwind.
Mickey Rourke looked feeble and was always drunk or drugged out. He makes for a perfect crime boss but I just hate watching him age so much.
Soooo much fighting and bad behavior.
Some terrible acting moments. Many cliched lines are spoken with clenched teeth.
Some of the dialogue is super stiff.
I don’t know why the title “Adverse” was selected. “Revenge” or even “Rage” seems more appropriate for the title.
The tire-iron scene of mayhem borders on comical because it’s so over-the-top.
Isn’t it amazing that we get into complete strangers’ cars to take us from Point A to Point B? Ridesharing is an inexpensive option for passengers and an effective side hustle for drivers, but it can also be risky.
There’s a love interest for the protagonist but we really don’t get to learn anything about her, other than she looks like a Barbie doll. Some viewers are calling this movie part action, part romance, but the romance part is extremely underdeveloped.
Lots of typical crime tropes.
Not much humor. This is pure drama and action.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: NOT RECOMMENDED FOR KIDS!

Tons of profanity and F-bombs
Smoking, drugs, alcohol
Some Spanish is spoken without subtitles. Some of it is profanity and other rude phrases in Spanish.
A convict has to be evaluated as part of his parole
Physical abuse
Bloody, gory violence
You see dead bodies.
Portrayal of several murders.
A lot of scenes in a bar/strip club with scantily-clad women
Guns and knives
Portrayal of suicide.

THEMES:

Family
Revenge
Loyalty
Love
Controlling your temper
Staying out of debt
Don’t hang out with sleazy scumbags

INTERESTING LINES:

“There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.” – Fredrich Nietzsche (This quote is shown on the screen at the beginning of the movie.

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B –