The Living

Name: The Living
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Released: April 3, 2015
Duration: 89 min

2015

METASCORE

No score yet based on 3 Critic Reviews Awaiting 1 more review

tbd

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 4 Ratings

See All

9.0

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

9.0	Your Score
9.0	User Score Universal acclaim based on 4 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Movie Details & Credits

Monterey Media | Release Date: April 3, 2015 | R

Summary: After an alcohol induced blacked-out night of drinking, Teddy (Fran Kranz) discovers he has severely beaten his wife, Molly. As he attempts to redeem himself to her she must decide whether or not she will take him back as her mother, Angela, continuously expresses her disapproval, all the while her brother, Gordon, falls in way over hisAfter an alcohol induced blacked-out night of drinking, Teddy (Fran Kranz) discovers he has severely beaten his wife, Molly. As he attempts to redeem himself to her she must decide whether or not she will take him back as her mother, Angela, continuously expresses her disapproval, all the while her brother, Gordon, falls in way over his head as he tries to hire an ex-con, Howard, to kill Teddy.… Expand

Director: Jack Bryan

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 89 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Critic Reviews

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Mar 31, 2015

It wouldn’t work without Chris Mulkey, playing a heartless sociopath ex-con hired to kill a man. Read full review

Andy Webster

Apr 9, 2015

The emotional dynamics in domestic violence, for the abuser and the abused, are often too disturbing and complex to be treated as superficially as The Living does. Read full review

Katie Walsh

Apr 16, 2015

What could have been a taut and tense thriller is ankled by the inert characters, clunky screenplay and nonexistent back story. Read full review

SEE ALL 3 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

9.0

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

User Reviews

Steinblogger

Apr 10, 2015

I first met writer/director Jack Bryan at the Tallgrass Film Festival during a showing of Yojimbo. I ended up seeing his film "The Living" when it premiered that weekend. I was excited to see it, Jack seemed like a cool guy and I love Fran Kranz, but I had no idea I was in for such a treat.I first met writer/director Jack Bryan at the Tallgrass Film Festival during a showing of Yojimbo. I ended up seeing his film "The Living" when it premiered that weekend. I was excited to see it, Jack seemed like a cool guy and I love Fran Kranz, but I had no idea I was in for such a treat. I'm not really sure if treat is the right word to use, this film is a lot of things, but it might be a little too dark to be considered a treat. The performances, writing, direction, and production design are all flawless. If you like movies like Killer Joe and Fargo, this film is for you.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

quincytheodore

May 20, 2015

A contrast of daily grind and desperate measure, The Living is peculiar and private enough to be grimly riveting. The title aptly portrays the life of ordinary folks, with all the familiar problems or flaws one expect from them. It shows domestic issues and mundane stuffs in a patient pace,A contrast of daily grind and desperate measure, The Living is peculiar and private enough to be grimly riveting. The title aptly portrays the life of ordinary folks, with all the familiar problems or flaws one expect from them. It shows domestic issues and mundane stuffs in a patient pace, yet the delivery of characters feels so genuinely inviting. Good script and acting make these unassuming characters easily identifiable while presenting twists so bizarre they might just be unnervingly realistic.

After what seems to be a domestic violence, Teddy (Fran Kranz) and Molly (Jocelyn Donahue) are not in the best terms. The debacle disturbs Molly's brother Gordon (Kenny Wormald), who has timid personality but is highly determined to resolve the situation. Each character tries to overcome the issue but with much different means, the couple might attempt to sort it out between themselves, but Gordon opts for much dangerous path of hiring a hitman.

It plays out in solemn tone, occasionally switching between trivial matters and risky shady business. Fran Kranz is pretty convincing as the remorseful husband. Heartfelt apology, some humor and compromising nature make him a more likeable guy than expected. As for the wife, Jocelin Donahue delivers a very compassionate performance. She remains strong yet it is her weaknesses which serendipitously create a compelling and deep character.

Both of them look excessively normal, though in some subtle ways the movie keeps the audience guessing if the forgiveness is warranted. Meanwhile Kenny Wormald looks frightened and confused as he steps outside his comfort zone, meeting the hitman Howard (Chris Mulkey). As the least confrontational character, Gordon is put in situations he fears the most, especially when Howard is exceptionally aggressive. Gordon seems cowardice and reluctant, though he has a sincere nature which could appeal to the audience. Howard, on the other hand, is incredibly antagonistic, just giving malicious intent with every word spewed.

Cinematography produces a somber view of their lives. Using backdrop of mostly rural town it looks modestly slick. Much of the scenes are people dining as the camera shoots them from the side and occasionally pans. The visual lets the actors deliver their emotional lines in laid back manner, when the twists occur the quaint ambiance actually produces more impact. This is a relatively slow thriller, but it is never tedious.

The Living presents an intimate look of the characters' lives, so close to home it's both disturbing and also absorbing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 2 REVIEWS