Faults (2014)

Flawed but interesting black comedy about cults and deprogramming. The film starts out overtly comedic about a down on his luck author and cult expert on a very low rent book tour. On this darkly funny and depressing book tour he's approached by a couple who want his help rescuing their daughter form a cult. Their daughter, an excellent Mary Elizabeth Winstead, is then held captive in a a hotel room with the cult expert for a character duel along the lines of "Death and the Maiden" or "Oleanna," where interesting power dynamics emerge between the two. Leland Orser, who's on my list of great one-scene-performances for his one scene in "Seven" as the lust victim in the massage parlor, gives a great performance here as the troubled cult expert, though it's really Winstead who steals the film. While the script doesn't seem to gel as a whole and the end in particular seemed a bit contrived, the performances make this one worth watching.

I have to declare an interest : i chose the film on the basis it starred Mary Elizabeth Winstead whom i'd watched for the first and only time in 10 Cloverfield Lane. I was less interested in the subject matter. However, as the film developed i became engrossed. Very strong performances and a sharp script combine to drive the story forward. As in Cloverfield Winstead gives a restrained and on this occasion slightly sinister performance while Leland Orser's depiction of desperate penury is utterly convincing and motors the film on. The end also convinces and might have been frankly ridiculous in the hands of a less skilled director and less talented actors. It's a neat, riveting little film for a Comtemplative Tuesday night in.

Taking a look at IMDbs Film Festival board,I spotted a plan for an IMDb fest based around a series of titles.With not having heard about the film before,I decided to take a look at the page for Faults,which I discovered featured Final Destination 3 scream queen Mary Elizabeth Winstead,which led to me getting ready to discover who is at fault.The plot:Getting in debt by self-publishing his advice book on how to pull troubled minds out of "cults", Ansel becomes increasingly uninterested in the people who attend his book tour.Lashing out at an audience member after they blame him for the death of a teenage girl who appeared on his now-cancelled TV show,Ansel tells the crowd to pay him some cash so that he can sign their books and then leave.Walking on tiptoes up to him, Evelyn and Paul ask Ansel if he can help them to get back their "baby girl" Claire,who has gone and joined a cult.Initially dismissive of their requests,Ansel finds the couples willingness to cover his costs to be a real charm bracelet.Suspecting from the details they give that Claire is at the deep end with the cult,Roth tells Evelyn and Paul that the only option left for them is to kidnap Claire and take her to a remote location,where she can be de-programmed. Receiving the thumbs up from the parents,Ansel goes and kidnaps Claire. Placing Claire in a secure isolated location,Ansel begins the intense de-programing program,but soon begins to fear that Claire may not be the one who is getting de-programmed.View on the film:Filmed in just 18 days,writer/director Riley Stearns shows no faults in his excellent debut,which mixes jet-black Comedy with nerve- shredding indie chills. Largely taking place in one hotel room, Stearns & cinematographer Michael Ragen precisely use depth of field to subtly reveal the change in power from Ansel to Claire (and her family.)Allowing Ansel to step out into the sun, Stearns covers him in a scorching hot sun,which pops the heated tension that Ansel is under.For the dark satirical shots,the screenplay by Stearns takes a ruthless view at the self-help/psychobabble culture,as Ansel's crisp white shirt and user-friendly guides hide the deep bleaches behind a fading grin.Keeping away from just making this a satirical title,Stearns displays an expert eye in delivering psychological unease,thanks to the decision to stick everyone in one location allowing for the seeds of doubt in Ansel to be exposed,whilst Claire's shimmering confidence slowly casts a looming shadow across the screen.Stuck in a burnt at the edges suit, Leland Orser gives a superb performance as Ansel,thanks to Orser giving every sarcastic put-down a rich bitterness,whilst also allowing a feeling of Ansel crumbling under pressure to seep in.Joined by a great Lance Reddick, Mary Elizabeth Winstead gives an extraordinary performance as Claire.Avoiding any Scream Queen antics,Winstead hits Claire with an icy matter of fact delivery,thanks to Claire burning away her sweet charms to reveal a smart,calculating menace hidden from view.Final view on the film:A film with no "Faults" at all.

Amazing little indie that came off as a black comedy and then drifts into darkness, while pulling you along.The acting's smart, the pacing's crisp, the jokes register darkly, and the dialogue snaps.After researching this movie and not finding an appropriate answer, one scene that really stands out is: Once Ansel is watching his TV interview, one can barely see schemes of "Dad" having sex with Claire, while "Mom" is watching. One has to very closely watch.This brings us to the question if they were Claire's parents at all, or rather, fellow cultists. Cult members who, under her guidance, pretended to be her parents so she could brainwash Ansel. At the end "Mom" tells Claire that "With his knowledge your teachings will grow beyond anything we ever could have imagined." This seems to suggest that having a notable expert on their side will give them more power, legitimacy, outreach. It's winning over an enemy. Amazing ending, want to know more.