Review of The Loft (2014) by Quincy T — 22 Mar 2015

Infidelity burns, friends might not be there to share the heat. The concept of having a getaway place to fornicate is enticing, if one is seriously considering such sexual mischief The Loft serves as a guide of what should not be done. Boasting good cast and decent drama thriller, the film has pretty interesting twists and turns. However, the use of multi-perspective in varied timelines is occasionally as messy as the portrayed adulterous acts.

One woman is found dead in an apartment which turns out to be clandestine rendezvous point for five married men. The resulting roller-coaster ride takes the plot shifting constantly between past and present. It also chains together the individual story of each men, as well as their confessions with the police, resulting in many subplots. It's an ambitious undertaking, which the film is barely able to pull off.

The film method of transition is choppy. Not to mention it needs to reveal important information just at the right time, so expect backtrack aplenty. With many characters to portray, the movie sometimes veers from the mystery and rehearses overly dramatic secret lovers or scheming friends premise. Fortunately, its layered narrative pays off with good plot twists along the way, even though the journey there can be exhausting.

With good line up consisting Karl Urban, Wentworth Miller and James Marsden, the acting is decent. They do their best despite the characters beings sociopaths, pathological liars or immoral jerks at best. It's very hard to identify with them as they can be ridiculously conniving, near the level of obsession. Emotionally detached is an understatement.

The Loft does have good cinematography and crisp design, so its visual matches the big screen, although somehow it reminds me of TV crime drama series. It offers a degree of entertainment with adequate suspense and thrill.

A word to the wise: Best friends should never move in together, or share one apartment for promiscuous purpose.