Review of Angels Crest (2011) by Carol M — 12 Jan 2014

A very sensitively portrayed movie about a loving young father Ethan Denton (played by Thomas Dekker) having to live with the consequences of a split second of thoughtlessness and it's aftermath. Ethan having realized he is now living every caring parents horrible nightmare when his son Nate disappears, also has to contend with the paralleled cruel, thin, substanceless shroud of brotherly love and love thy neighbor which immediately falls away to expose his sleepy towns intolerance. Ethan was the parent who loved his son, Nate's mother Cindy, predisposed with her alcoholism, did not. When Cindy says to Ethan, "So now you're a shit dad too" in a very touching moment, that is the only time Ethan and Cindy ever connected, and sadly, with the tragedy of their son. There is a strong supporting cast with Jeremy Piven as the prosecutor that has to bring Ethan down, but along the way realizes a lot of his motivation for trying the case is because of his own baggage. And I was absolutely delighted to see two very talented actresses, Mira Sorvino who plays Angie, Ethan's friend and Elizabeth McGovern who plays Jane. I hope we see more of them in the future as they have passed the Hollywood shelf life for women.

This is one that can be felt even if you aren't a parent. But if you are, I strongly recommend a box Kleenex, as I sobbed throughout. But the real triumph that director Gaby Dellal pulls off is that as I cried for the misfortune of this father, I also rejoiced for all the parents like me that had that moment of realization, and by the saving grace did not have to go down Ethan's path. A must see as this is brilliantly done, and Thomas Dekker is outstanding as Ethan.. cm.