The Price for Silence

source: The Price for Silence

source: The Price for Silence

B movie, bad acting, terrible filming, wrong people for the parts, and a terrible storyline.

I was an extra in this movie (I appear about an hour in for one scene), so maybe my review will seem somewhat biased. However, despite a somewhat slow pace, Tony Germinario's thriller tale about a woman who returns to her home years after being abused at a party succeeds at making a strong statement against sexual harassment. Given that we have been seeing plenty of crimes like this happening in today's society, it's healthy to make a stand. Lynn Mancinelli gives a powerful turn as the woman in question, and similarly great performances are delivered by the rest of the cast. However, it's the tense, edge-of-your-seat finale that really makes THE PRICE FOR SILENCE worth a look. There. I warned you I wouldn't be so critical.

Most of the cast did a good job. But, Lynn Mancinelli really depicted how shattered a victim could be. She radiated pain and rage. Jon McCormick and Emrhys Cooper were great too. The scenario was able to keep my tuned throughout the whole movie.

A poignant film about a timely issue and its disturbing consequences. Unexpected twists. Clever foreshadowing. And, Richard Thomas - wow.

On the surface, there are happy memories of growing up in the Flynn family. Everyone in the town knows about the marvelous double chocolate bonanza brownies that were a family specialty. Now, the father has died, and the two wayward siblings, Kira and Lucas, have reunited with their mother Sheila to attend the their father's funeral. But the dark family secrets will slowly bubble to the surface and engulf the characters in a wild roller coaster ride of emotion. In this explosive melodrama, the focal point of the family dysfunction is with the history of Kira Flynn. The film's Title of "The Price for Silence" is the price that more than any other character has been paid by Kira. But what actually is her secret that has made her so distraught that she battles alcohol and depression? The film slowly reveals Kira's secret that has in turn led to a cascade of dysfunction not only in the Flynn family, but the entire town. Richard Davenport is the local business tycoon, who would appear to own the town. Does he even have the local psychiatrist in his hip pocket? What is clear is that he appears to own the hapless Flynn family. The filmmakers have clearly taken an over-the-top approach with the melodrama, which some viewers may find excessive. But any shortcomings in the dialogue and the plotting are compensated with the well-etched characters. In turn, the cast was outstanding, especially the performer playing Kira, who carried the film from start to finish. The mother character was also strong, as she slowly comes out of her shell, as apparent in the moment when she opens one of the file boxes of her late husband. That experience of opening Pandora's box is a turning point in the film. "The Prince for Silence" may not be a masterpiece. But in its craftsmanship and the stellar performances, it is a compelling piece of domestic tragedy.

I'll start by saying, like all films, this has its issues. That being said, they are easily overlooked because of the the way the story comes together and the spot on acting. Let's be honest, this is not a high budget crapfest that Hollywood pumps out... this is a an independent film, and by all means, feels like one. But that's not a bad thing. The director crafts a well paced film that unfolds at an appropriate pace. There are some things that I wish were more clear, like why she returned home (the death of the father...maybe I missed that),but other than that, it kept me engaged. The acting was believable, especially the brother and sister, and the direction elevated the film to a level that should have been recognized at a higher level. Maybe not the Oscar's, but some kind of recognition. I don't know. And as a gay man, the gay jokes hit the mark for me every time. It does help to have a sense of humor...there is always humor where people find offense. All in all I would say that this is a great potboiler that builds its steam over the course of it's running time. You know something is off throughout and when you get the climax, it's worth the wait. I would recommend The Price For Silence not just for a great viewing experience, but for a cinematic thrill ride as well.

Great cast, great direction, Lynn Mancinelli is outstanding. A victim of such abuse has a mind which causes behaviors that are very complicated to understand let alone embody. Lynn does it and she does it well. This is a heavy moviem, but worth watching, especially in this day and age. And I'll never see John-Boy the same way again.

Quality film! Would watch again and would highly recommend it to friends!