Written and directed by Ric Roman Waugh, SHOT CALLER is a companion to Waugh’s acclaimed film FELON which stars Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff. With SHOT CALLER, we now meet successful businessman Jacob Harlon. On top of the world, Harlon has it all; that is until he’s drinking and driving, gets in an accident and kills his best friend who was a passenger in his car. Sent to a maximum security prison, he quickly learns how to survive and transforms into “Money”, a hard-ass gangster with both brains and brawn. Released from prison, Money wants to stay clean but under threat by high-ranking gang members behind prison walls with ties to the outside, Money is forced to pull off one more job.
An intricately tapestried character study of a way of life as well as an individual character study of Jacob/Money, Waugh weaves the past and the present into a calculating and riveting thriller that not only keeps the characters on their toes, but the audience as well. As comes as no surprise, the authenticity and intricacy of maximum security prison life is flawless in its depiction thanks to Waugh’s attention to detail and meticulous research, so much sso that he himself went undercover in a prison to gain a full understanding of that world.
It’s the tacit strength of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (“Game of Thrones”) which leads the charge. He is riveting. Commanding attention without saying a word, he undergoes an amazing transformation both physically and emotionally as Jacob “becomes” Money. But it’s Waugh’s crafting of not only Money’s core values, but that of all of the characters that fuel the story, creating memorable and indelible characters. Each is three-dimensional, layered, complex. This is particularly evident with Jon Bernthal’s performance and the character of “Shotgun”, while Holt Macallany puts the fear of God into you just watching him as The Beast. And hand-in-hand with the performances are some extreme action sequences with exemplary second unit work, handled by none other than second unit director Scott Waugh.
On a technical level look no further than cinematographer Dana Gonzalez for visual storytelling as lighting sets the tone both inside and out of prison. Framing is impeccable. Color and negative space are equally important in creating this palette as night shots absolutely soar. Michelle Tesoro’s editing is superlative as he takes us from past to present and back again, all of which is done in tandem with Gonzalez’ distinguishing lighting. Completing the picture is Antonio Pinto’s score which is non-intrusive yet buoys the film perfectly.
Written and Directed by Ric Roman Waugh
Cast: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Jon Bernthal, Holt Macallany, Jeffrey Donovan, Lake Bell, Emory Cohen, Juan Pablo Raba, Jonathan McClendon, Matt Gerald, Benjamin Bratt
by debbie lynn elias, 6/13/2017, Los Angeles Film Festival review
