Thumper (2017) Reviews

• Nothing New

  Sawyer-48151623422017-11-08

  I kind of like gritty movies about the drug underworld. This one was just OK. All the elements were there but the movie didn't really do much for me. My main problem is I didn't like any of the characters. Even the protagonist. They all made such dumb decisions. And even the scenes of the protagonist's home life which felt like they were supposed to earn her sympathy ended up just being sad. Not a bad movie by any means. But certainty not a great one. I suspect younger audience might like this more than those over 30. For me the movie was hard to connect with. In a month or so I'll probably forget this movie completely and that is it's worst sin- being unmemorable.

• In 'Thumper' everyone loses the war on drugs

  canondefiant2017-05-10

  There are several things that "Thumper" does remarkably well, and that's saying a lot—in the past decade or so, films (and, indeed, television shows) on drugs, drug use, and the war on drugs, have steadily become more staple, enough to establish their own set of tropes and pitfalls. But "Thumper" does enough to both validate and subvert expectations, by allowing organic character beats to drive the plot, and intimate human relationships to steer us into unfamiliar territory. The film's leads—Pablo Schreiber as menacing meth cook Wyatt, Eliza Taylor as shrewd undercover cop Kat—hurl themselves (occasionally, quite literally) into their complex roles with ferocious commitment. From the opening scene, Schreiber brings a furious volcanic intensity into the frame, threatening to explode in a wave of fire and ash. Taylor adeptly matches his performance with what she's given, brazenly going toe-to-toe with him—a notable feat, considering he towers an entire foot over her—and talking back when others fall silent. But it is Daniel Webber's vulnerable, downplayed Beaver—his arc mirrors Kat's in a number of ways, one of the reasons they are drawn to one another—whose agency and actions becomes crucial. And it is Beaver's relationship with Wyatt—in all its sad shades of fear, respect, anger, humiliation, and the need for validation—that changes everyone's lives, for better or worse. Other gritty performances include Grant Harvey as Wyatt's cousin, Troy, who brings to mind a mild, not-so-far-gone Sick Boy, Jazzy De Lisser's hard-boiled addict Gina, and Lena Headey's overbearing, sneering Ellen. It goes without saying that "Thumper" owes much of its praise to its cast—although there is noticeable unevenness with the writing, particularly for the female roles. Despite that unevenness, by the conclusion of the film, we are left with Kat, forced by her ordeal to take a hard look at who she is, and how what she has done has changed her. For a film that initially gives the impression of a creeping cynicism bordering on overwhelming pessimism, Kat's recognition of the drug war for the vicious, violent cycle it is, and her firm decision to break away from it, speaks volumes. Taylor's remarkable performance confirms her ability to bring to life characters with evolving moralities—I hope she continues to explore similarly challenging roles in other independent efforts, which may wisely recognize, and make the most of, her talent. The film's dedication to naturalism makes apparent director-writer Jordan Ross's roots in documentary filmmaking, with the entire film shot with a hand-held camera, setting the film's uncompromising tone. Effective films often affect emotionally and physically, and "Thumper" is one such film, evoking an undeniably visceral reaction, even on my second (and frankly, far more critical) viewing. It doesn't matter if you suspect, through the film's occasional familiar beats, or muted foreshadowing—or certainly know, as I did that second time—what comes next; how the film takes you there will leave you momentarily breathless, at times, shaken, and by the end, entirely struck.

• Female lead couldn't carry the film

  tom-563152018-11-04

  I have to agree with the other reviews that noted the main character didn't quite produce the depth needed for this film. The writing was strong. Most of the characters' pulled their part. But the lead was a bit of a miss.

• Standout performances in an intense drama

  skip-987562018-02-24

  I Really enjoyed this! Im 58 and this brings back memories from when i was 16 and in that kind of life...Its been so long ago ,it seems like another lifetime..when i see this contemporary drama ,i find it shocking and SAD that things are still so much the same for kids and the drug culture after 42 yrs...That lifestyle, where kids hand out, looking to get high, the way they acted in the movie, is so true to life..the Drug dealer, done by pablo was outstanding! the volatile,quiet one moment,menacing the next,the quality and intensity he brought to the role nailed it..i have know people who acted just like that ! I actually thought from the promo poster that the lead actor was Jon Bernthal ...i was shocked to find ot was Pablo, it was the shaved head that made the resemblence..I love seeing Eliza from the 100, an awesome series!! cant wait for that to return..anyway they rocked their roles, and the supporting actors got the stereotypical drug culture yoyths down pat..again it was sad to see that todays kids were so much like the kids of 40 yrs ago,its like that lifestyle is in a time bubble and seems forever the same..i would hope that todays youth were less inclined to that way of life,or had found ways to creatively express the intense energies of that age bracket in positive ways, and i Do believe that more young people Today are finding healthy and creative outlets than in past...this movie though was a reminder that it still exists

• Outstanding Cast

  corvette-459212018-02-24

  I started watching this with little expectation as the plot has all been done before, however as soon as you get a tour through the seedy meth lab in the LA area that feels light years from Disneyland it felt very real. It wasn't until I read about the cast afterwards on IMDB that it all made sense? they are not just from the U.S but from Canada, Australia, Wales, Bermuda - that is what makes this movie separate itself from the rest as they are unknowingly bringing other dimensions to a film that has been done many times before. This movie is worth visiting, not just to see life on the other side of the tracks but to admire the great acting that this group deliver.