Review of Misconduct (2016) by Tamir M — 09 Feb 2016

OK, so some of these reviews are misleading. This film is a thriller and it delivers a story that suits that genre. If you don't like thrillers you won't like this film but if you like legal thrillers then this is definitely a solid film.

What's to like:

1. Great direction. After so many films that are either static or infused with shaky cam Misconduct delivers camera work that keeps the viewers riveted. There are things we intentionally don't see while the camera glides through the murky underworld of houses and neighborhood.

The production design allows to see neighborhoods and locations we're not used to seeing.

The use of shadows, during the day and night times, adds so much to all the drama that's unfolding on the screen. Again this is all due to the direction.

2. The performances were all around solid. I've only seen Duhamel in Transformers and Scenic Route and didn't think much of either of those movies but he's got some serious chops in this flick. Pacino's reined in. Ackerman is the best I've seen her (and I liked her in Watchmen). Alice Eve was really good and added a lot to what some might find a limited role, Byung-hun was bad ass but probably the role I liked the most was Doug the friend/coworker. He's just all exposition and that can always grind things to a halt but Glen Powell brought that stuff to life.

3. Really liked the music. It was evocative of Body Heat in hits crescendoes.

4.The Cinematography was one of the stars of the show. The slithering camera really helped amp up the tension and paranoia in a lot of scenes. The lighting and shadows gave us this film a noir feel.

5. The locations were great since it wasn't another film that was made in the few American states that always pop in the movies: it's not NY or CA or Texas or North Carolina.

5. Pace was tight and the film never dragged which is what you in ANY movie but especially a thriller.

What's not to like:

1. There are story details that were completely unnecessary like the Hitman's medical issues. It doesn't tie into the story.

2. The shock ending would have been more plausible if we had seen some indication earlier on of that complete reversal.

3. It would have been nice to have Hopkins and Pacino be in more scenes together. They're only in one. Face to face.

4. The female characters.

5. I really like Julia Stiles but I feel like she was miscast here and their was some credibility issues with how her character pops up at the film's denouement.

Overall I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. If you like films like Body Heat, Sea of Love, The Last Seduction or other thrillers you will like this.