Felony (2014)

After a few drinks celebrating not being killed during a bust, a police detective clips a cyclist with his car, rendering the young rider into a coma. Covering up the facts of the accident, with help from a superior, his conscience starts to attack both his state of mind, and that of his life at home. Something which is noticed by an up-coming young detective...Ooh, the agony, the moral conundrum. It's pretty much a morality play, one that is very well mounted by the makers. Written and starring Joel Edgerton, it also stars Tom Wilkinson, Jai Courtney and Melissa George. After a quick-fire opening the pic settles into a brooding sense of emotional torture, a slow burn approach that casts caustic eyes over police cover ups and the folly of the human condition. A potential romantic thread feels unnecessary, while some of the dialogue leaves a lot to be desired, but with Wilkinson shining, Mark Wareham's photography the same, it's a better than average morally tinged drama. Though the ending will infuriate some... 6/10

Australian Film with British Actor Tom Wilkinson Stealing the Show delivering Cynical, Sharp, and Provocative Dialog Written with an excellent Feel for the Subject by Joel Edgerton. The other Two Lead Actors Joel Edgerton and Jai Courtney are really Not Up to the Task. Their Limitations are Glaring when placed Next to that Old War Horse Wilkinson and He Literally Blows Them Off the Screen. They seem to Mope and Stand Around a lot and Stare, to convey Dedication and Guilt. This is a Character Study with some Concern about "The Thin Blue Line" also Known as the "Code of Silence".Police Protecting Their Own. A very Topical Subject to Say the Least. This doesn't Involve Shooting Unarmed Suspects but is Profound Nonetheless. It Starts as a Drug Bust Action Film, but After that the Set-Up goes Nowhere but the Background, as Does another Crime Procedural about a Pedophile.The Focus here is Clearly within the Department and the Movie is a bit Different Compared to most Modern Shoot 'em Ups. Not a Great Film but Worth a Watch for Wilkinson's Rants and a Good Story.

The movie stars a trio of top male actors in splendid roles, so that the intricate and very intimate "Felony" is a police story crossed with a strong psychological drama. Three very different Australian detectives, each one determined to do the right thing, are supposed to decide how to define justice in one specific case and must choose what lines can be crossed and what price may be paid as to achieve it. Director Matthew Saville has perfectly constructed a low-key and realistic drama. These kinds of moral decisions and subjects always end up making involving films, especially when the key performers are as good as Tom Wilkinson, Joel Edgerton and Jai Courtney. Working on a perfect screenplay by Edgerton, the director Matthew Saville has expertly constructed an extremely realistic drama where the malleability of morality in an increasingly difficult situation takes center stage.

THE STORY: The duplicity of right and wrong is highlighted in this moody psychological police drama when an accident evokes conflicting responses from each of the people concerned. TOP THREE PERFORMANCES: 1. Tom Wilkinson. His old-school senior detective is charismatic, convincing, and always endearing despite his questionable ethics. 2. Joel Edgerton. His confused and arrogant cop is compelling in his failing efforts to do what he knows is right. 3. Melissa George. Her empathetic and emotional mother shines in her primary motivation to protect her family. THREE THINGS WE LIKED: The intriguing plot that transformed all the players - The intense and lengthy stillness of the close ups - The simple and muted palette of Grey, blue & black THREE WORDS: A Human Story