Little Murder (2011)

Very disappointing...

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Set in New Orleans, this film is a strange mixture of genres -- part film noir and part ghost story. Josh Lucas plays a detective, guilt-ridden over the shooting of an innocent boy by mistake. He is assigned to a stakeout in an empty house across the street from a suspect, Terrence Howard, who is possibly implicated in a number of bizarre serial killings. The detective soon discovers that the stakeout house has a reputation in the neighborhood of being haunted. A young female musician was murdered there several years earlier, allegedly by her own brother, who has been placed in an asylum for the criminally insane. When the detective discovers he is able to see, hear, and even touch the ghost of this murdered woman, played by Lake Bell, he realizes that she can only find rest if he can find her real killer and thus set the brother (Nick Lashaway) free. Deborah Ann Woll (of "True Blood") and Sharon Leal play friends of the murdered woman, and as such, their own lives may be in jeopardy. Cary Elwes stands out as the villainous owner of a country club that may be a front for drug trading. The movie is an atmospheric indie thriller that manages to be both suspenseful and moderately entertaining, thanks to sterling performances from Josh Lucas and Terrence Howard. Thus far, its only DVD releases that I'm aware of have been in Germany and Australia. Hopefully, it will be available in the U.S. before long.

The opening scene reveals the problem with this film - if it was a home-made film, ala the Blair Witch project, it might be more forgivable, but even indie films should be able to do better camera work than this, better directing. It's particularly tragic as a supernatural mystery film in New Orleans sounds so good and the scenery was downgraded by the truly poor production - almost as if the director, cameramen and production crew were entirely trashed throughout filming. I liked the plot, the casting and though I'd watch a film just for Josh Lucas, here his acting was spotty (fading in and out of character, too blatant to be passed off by the character development that did happen) he was far outmatched by Terrence Howard. Deborah Woll and Cary Elwes are fun in their supporting roles and it's always good to see those two. Lake Bell is very pretty - not going to win any acting awards for this - but she didn't ruin the film. I'd say the cast must not have been overly inspired - hope nobody else gives this director a shot. What a shame because this could have been a much better film. Still, definitely worth watching if you're going to bed anyway and are watching it for free.

What I loved best about this movie was the fact that it took place in New Orleans. From the surroundings to the music to the characters seemed pretty authentic to me having visited a few times in my life. I am in love with the south but a northern city boy at heart.As far as the move goes it was just okay for me. It is in sorts a weird thriller/drama/mystery type of movie. The characters were good and I especially liked Lake Bell and Josh Lucas. Terrence Howard played a weirdo but complimented the overall movie. This movie is about the murder of a young woman, a mentally challenged brother that was blamed for it, but really a plot to cover this (is what they make you think it is about) and a lonely detective that cannot let the past go and grows to love this woman he trying to help (dead of course).Overall, 5 out of 10. There are far better ones out there in this genre but wasn't as bad as some I have seen as well.