Trouble Is My Business Movie Review

Trouble Is My Business ( 2018 ) Feature Film Review 4.5/5 This is one of those rare indie, lower budget films that I really and truly loved. Not just as a good independent film, but as a great film in general. Half expecting some dreary black and white picture, pitched as a noir title "because" it's black and white, I knew this wasn't going to be the case within the first minute or so. What I ended up getting with "Trouble Is My Business" was a stylized, well thought out production, that captured the feel it was going for perfectly. This doesn't just look like it was based on the stylized concepts of the genre, it plays like the real thing. From the excellent use of cliche shadows, from blinds and fans - and whatever else could possibly make a great looking shadow, straight through to comedic yet believable dialog... believable for a film of this nature that is. Sayings like "being a flat tire" and dead-pan one liners, fill the sound space and brought a grin to my face. Generally speaking, Tom Konkle and Brittney Powell have penned an excellent script and Konkle himself, has done some excellent work directing it. It's all here for lovers of this type of movie and more to the point, it's all here even if you're not a genre fan. Set within Konkle and Powell's version of a decade long gone, the props, costuming, and general back drops all scream to be noticed - yet are not the main, onscreen attraction here. The main attraction as it were, is the inevitable story we all know and love... done well and acted brilliantly. Sure. We may not know all the details of the story - and I'm certainly not going to share them, but the staples are in place and guaranteed. The down on his luck private dick. The mysterious dame... and in this case, her sister as well. The rivalry of a competing detective and of course, a slew of villainous characters that are either quirky enough to be sinister, or just down right bad. We all know the players and general greedy concepts, and I feel it's that familiar setting that makes this film work. As for the players on the stage ladies and germs? How did they do? Bluntly... the cast are no slouches. Hell, you may even recognize a few yourself... meaning that we do have some experience on-set. That's not really the point however, not the one I want to make. All the characters within "Trouble Is My Business" feel right at home onscreen, meaning that the actors must have felt at home as well. Lines were corny sounding when they needed to be. Witty when it worked for the scene, and everything you expect from a film of this nature. Since this is a stylistic genre, I have no other way to describe the acting except to say it's exactly what you think it's going to be. Like the other production elements within the film, everything just seems to fit together nicely, creating a film that plays smooth as silk. Even the incredibly lengthy run-time of almost two hours - crazy for an indie low budget film - seems not all that long while you are watching. It's just one of those rare indie productions where everything managed to fall in place. I write that rather loosely, since the reality of things "falling into place" no doubt required a "lot" of hard work. To me, the viewer however, that magical feeling of everything just fitting together nicely, is a movie watchers blissful ignorance. I know, it's a lot of hard work that creates that feeling. A lot of hard work my eyes... and ears... are thankful for. I don't know what's being put into the water lately, but I've had the pleasure of watching a "lot" of independent, lower budget productions, that have been simply splendid. What a great year it has been - and maybe a little scary of a year for the traditional studio model of movie making. "Trouble Is My Business" ranks quite high on my best of the best scale. Did I mention the names on this scale are pleasantly longer than the last few years, yet not quite considered numerous? Quickly changing is the stigma independent, micro films have always been associated with. Crappy. Horrible acting and production. Campy, corny and laughable. Konkle and Powell's title helps raise that bar a little higher, and reduce the stigma in the process. This was a film I am glad I got to see. If this write-up helps gets even one more set of eyes viewing, it was all worth it. Bottom line? This is a fun, visually interesting movie. Congrats to the cast and crew for a job well... well done.

Trouble Is My Business Movie Review

Trouble Is My Business: A Love Letter to Noir, Steeped in Smoke and Shadows "Trouble Is My Business" is a 2018 neo-noir film that takes us back to the gritty glamour of 1940s detective cinema. Directed and co-written by Tom Konkle, the film is a passionate homage to the classics, filled with sharp dialogue, femme fatales, and a mystery that twists like a cigarette curl in the stale air of a nightclub. The story centers around Roland Drake (played by Konkle himself), a down-on-his-luck private eye drowning in cheap whiskey and bad decisions. When a sultry dame named Katherine Montemar walks into his office, his world gets turned upside down. She hires him to find her missing father, but soon Roland finds himself entangled in a web of lies, double-crosses, and a cursed diamond called the "Orlov." Critics have praised the film's atmosphere, noting its meticulous recreation of the noir aesthetic. The black-and-white cinematography is sumptuous, with deep shadows and stark contrasts that evoke the works of masters like Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney. The score, a blend of jazz and blues, adds to the film's smoky sensuality. The performances are also a highlight. Konkle is perfectly cast as the world-weary detective, his voice a gravelly whisper that oozes charisma and cynicism. Brittney Powell and Jennifer Rope, who play the Montemar sisters, are equally captivating as alluring women with hidden agendas. The supporting cast, including Vernon Wells and David Beeler, add depth and humor to the proceedings. However, some critics have found the film's plot to be derivative and predictable. The twists and turns, while entertaining, feel familiar, and the ultimate resolution isn't particularly surprising. Additionally, the film's dialogue, while snappy and witty, can occasionally feel forced, like a conscious attempt to mimic the hard-boiled patter of its predecessors. Despite its flaws, "Trouble Is My Business" is a stylish and entertaining neo-noir that will delight fans of the genre. It's a love letter to the classic films, capturing their atmosphere, characters, and dialogue with both reverence and a playful wink. While it may not break new ground, it's a well-crafted and visually stunning homage that's sure to keep you guessing until the final shot. Overall Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars Here are some additional points to consider: The film has been praised for its humor, which balances out the darkness of the story. Some viewers have found the pacing to be a bit slow, especially in the first half. The film is relatively short, clocking in at just under two hours. In conclusion, "Trouble Is My Business" is a fun and atmospheric neo-noir that's worth a watch for fans of the genre. While it's not a masterpiece, it's a well-made film that captures the essence of classic noir with style and wit.

Trouble Is My Business

Chat Box With Sam: Tom Konkle - S3 E9

Trouble Is My Business 2018 and Marlowe 2022 a study in new period film noirs

Film noir is a genre that has been around for decades, known for its moody atmosphere, intricate plots, and morally ambiguous characters. In this article, we will compare two recent film noir releases: "Trouble Is My Business" (2018) directed by Tom Konkle and "Marlowe" (2022) directed by Neil Jordon. We will analyze the films as examples of the film noir genre and discuss the performances of their respective stars, Tom Konkle and Liam Neeson. "Trouble Is My Business" is a neo-noir film that follows private detective Roland Drake, played by Tom Konkle. When a missing girl case becomes more complicated than expected, Drake finds himself caught in a web of corruption, crime bosses, and a femme fatale. The film is praised for its adherence to classic film noir elements, with a moody atmosphere, sharp dialogue, and plenty of twists and turns. As the star and director of the film, Konkle's performance as Drake is strong and confident, and his direction successfully evokes the classic film noir era. "Marlowe," on the other hand, is a more modern take on the genre, directed by Neil Jordon and starring Liam Neeson as Phillip Marlowe, a detective hired to investigate a wealthy businessman's missing wife. The film features a similar web of corruption and deceit as "Trouble Is My Business," but with a more contemporary feel. Critics praise Jordon's direction for giving the film a suitably dark and brooding atmosphere, while Neeson's performance as Marlowe is described as "charming and cool-headed." When comparing the two films, it's clear that both are successful examples of the film noir genre. "Trouble Is My Business" evokes the classic era of film noir, while "Marlowe" puts a blander spin on the genre. Both feature complex plots, femme fatales, and a moody atmosphere. "Trouble Is My Business" is a more faithful homage to the classic films of the 1940s and 50s. In conclusion, both "Trouble Is My Business" and "Marlowe" are strong examples of film noir that will appeal to fans of the genre. Whether you prefer a faithful homage to the classic films or a more modern take on the style, both movies deliver plenty of twists, turns, and morally ambiguous characters to keep you engaged. In conclusion, fans of film noir should definitely check out both "Trouble Is My Business" and "Marlowe." While the films differ in style and direction, they both deliver the twists and turns and morally ambiguous characters that make film noir such a beloved genre.

Movie Review of Marlowe with Liam Neeson

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