Hammer

I watched this movie and rewinded it several times because I thought somehow I must have missed WHERE DID THE MONEY BAGS COME FROM AND HOW DID THE BROTHER GET INVOLVED!!!! And in the end I'm left feeling like what did I even watch because I have no clue. I honestly don't think the characters know where the bags came from or what the purpose was to be honest. I will say the movie had great acting but the plot needed better development.

About this film: The acting, the cinematography, the moody music. Unfortunately, there's a little more to dislike. For example, another reviewer said the most interesting thing about the movie is trying to guess what scenic small town it is filmed in. This cracked me up because I was doing exactly that during a fair part of the film! And I shouldn't have been - I should have been invested in the STORY and what was happening to the characters IN THE STORY. While each and every character acted their freakin' hearts out, and thusly sold most of the story, the story just didn't hold up. It didn't pull us viewers in because: 1. It didn't begin strong, it didn't adequately set up the why, when, where, who, etc. (yes, viewers are supposed to be flattered that a film leaves a lot for us brainiacs to figure out, I guess) But we also like a structured STORY with a beginning, middle, and something resembling a SATISFYING END. I believe that's why they call it the climax? There was too much guesswork in this drama. For example, my viewing pal and I never even understood where the main character got those bags of money. We thought he must have robbed a bank (?) But apparently not; all the other reviews state it was a drug deal. So I guess it was a drug deal? And what, exactly, did the little brother do to get himself involved? It was not clear. A few more minutes of setting up the story - then detailing it - would have done WONDERS for the overall understandability of an otherwise great drama. It also would have helped the viewers give a cr**. Maybe some better editing too. For example, near the end, the dad heads home in an, understandably, dirty, sweaty army green tee-shirt. Oddly, he exits his SUV with a clean, white tee-shirt on. Huh? How'd that happen? The devil's in the details, guys! Please give us much more in your next film.

The generic script tackles some perplexing social issues, like the allure of drugs, but with a small movie budget, "Hammer" - as story itself - acknowledges how poverty and neglect lead to chaos. Due to the modest budget, this Canadian crime thriller becomes an old-fashioned drama which has the focus on the cast performances instead of much needed action. Film is unquestionably W. Patton's show who is here in a rare lead role, but it's just too bad that it couldn't have been in a better vehicle than this. Rest of the cast is average and uncharismatic. The whole story is one-dimensional and when the whole thing finally comes to an end, it will inspire little more than shrugs from most viewers. Ultimately, "Hammer" is a short movie (81 min), but it drags its feet getting to the sort of conclusion you see coming from a mile away. And, with no proper development of any character, they aren't particularly pleasant or agreeable, causing movie to become rather frustrating and dull viewing experience. Rating: 4-

One of the best character-driven films of 2019/2020 with subtly layered irony, haunting performances and great music. Emotional realism is at its best when easy transactions go sour and emotions erupt arriving at the point of no return. Graphic realism, which the Brits and Americans are allowed to capture so appallingly well, never makes it to our Canadian final cuts. Canadian censorship simply won't allow artists to work their magic, so their talent is tethered to a prescribed hemline mentality. Do we need hyper-graphic detail? Some viewers need it to satisfy their armchair blood lust. But in watching "Hammer" I was too busy sinking in the characters' terror, desperation, hopelessness and revenge to miss gory details. Incomparable performances.

Exceptional acting and directing make this a must-see indie crime thriller. It's proof that every good film starts with a good script regardless of budget size. Will Patton was superb. The other unknowns all turned in riveting, believable performances. It's definitely Hammer time.

Canadian Film Board under-writes a film about hopeless crackhead drug-dealing losers. The only thing that held my interest was trying to figure out which b3mf3ck town in Ontario played host to the film shoot. There's that one street of houses that's supposed to represent, i think, a working class neighbourhood. But it's probably more like the last street in town to get built out. In 1914. Before the farm boys were sent off to fight the Hun. One house was even for sale. Look for the blue/red/white ReMax sign. I wonder whether the vendor put that in their listing: For Sale. Decrepit house from 1914 featured in terrible film called Hammer. Those corn fields sure were beautiful, though. See, this is the only thing remotely interesting about this movie. Guessing its location. Oh, and my Will Patton Cr@ppy Movie Indicator racks up another win. If Patton keeps this up, relatively late in his acting career, Oliver Platt will have to keep acting well past the mandatory age of retirement to preserve his status at the top of the Cr@ppy Movie Indicator checklist.

Sat there n watch the whole movie just to see what's going to happen to the little brother who after him were Chris coming back flash back something nothing and where Chris after he got the bags did he help his brother nope nope nope don't like it is it a book or part two cause this just was a waste

Many of the sequences and plot gyrations are unbelievable with a slurry of loose ends which leave you guessing.

This movie really exposes some hard truths that many families face in a world where everyone is struggling to connect while trying to stay true to themselves. The beauty lies in those well placed calm moments, were we actually see parallels In our own lives and get to reflect on how the choices we make affect the ones we love.

Really enjoyed this film. Great cinematography, great acting. I thought it had great pacing, and I thought the ending was great. A great film about family relationships wrapped in a crime thriller. Mark O'Brien was fantastic.