Review of Strays (1997) by Matthew R — 26 Sep 2011
This film is interesting to say the least. I had never known Vin Diesel had started off as a director as well, and actually, I can say that he could really succeed if he buckled down. "Strays" is a good and a bad film at the same time, mimicking a similar style of an infamous early 90s film "Kids", yet it is not as effective as Larry Clark's Magnum Opus.
Diesel plays his character well enough, though he really doesn't have much to emote in the first two acts of the film, the third portion is really what brings the whole production home, it is where the best writing, best acting, and most effective open-ened catharsis occurs that actually make the whole first hour worth while.
The actors could have been a bit better, though they visually fit their parts, and the camera work could have been much better, especially because of the tight, uncomfortable framing of shots that really didn't need to be so pushed in.
Entertaining, the good scenes outweigh the bad, not by much, but just enough. Slow moving but the pacing is correct for this type of film. If more effort was put into the direction, I think this really could have been a realistic and raw piece, more than just it's last part.
This review of Strays (1997) was written by Matthew R on 26 Sep 2011.
Strays has generally received mixed reviews.
Was this review helpful?
