A small time crime drama in a small town that has some big ambitions.
“The Dirty South” is an independent crime drama that came out last November, and I haven’t heard about it at the time. Until my collaborator at NEWHD Radio suggested I watch this movie, because his wife’s friend was Willa Holland’s mother, who used to be married to Brain De Palma. So, I apologize if I’m a little late with this review and for not hearing about it. But, all and all, it’s a low-key piece that has some flaws, but still has its qualities to overpower them.
The story is set and filmed in a small town in Louisiana. Holland plays a young woman named Sue Parker, who basically runs her family’s bar, while her father Gary (Wayne Pere) wallows in his own filth and coke. In fact, his irresponsibility and rivalry with tycoon Jeb Roy (Dermot Mulroney) is why they owe $30,000 in mortgage fees.
Then comes in a drifter named Dion (Shane West from “A Walk to Remember” and “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”), who is a professional pickpocket. She becomes so intrigued by his talents, that she asks him for a little assistance. The kind of assistance when they collaborate in a series of thefts, including stealing the boat of Jeb’s brother.
Does this drifter have the cliches to screw this girl over? No, he doesn’t, and that’s refreshing. And they are able to have a romantic chemistry that has more credit than what I’m about to tell you.
The reason for Jeb and Gary’s rivalry regards a love triangle back in high school, which ended badly, and it continues with a typical “Romeo & Juliet” plot, as Jeb doesn’t want his son Mark (Andrew Roy) dating Sue. The boy would have run away with her a while ago, if he had to courage to do so. But how could she come back into his life after all these years? And there’s also a scene when Jeb slaps Mark in the face, which looks unconvincing, because it looks like he didn’t touch him.
“The Dirty South,” written and directed by Matthew Yerby,” is weak in that subplot, but strong outside and around it, especially by the two father’s rivalry and the outcome of it all. The girl has been poisoned by her father’s negligence and stupidity, that she nearly resorts to drastic measures, and she’s also filled with determination to keep her family business alive. Holland, whose credits also include “Arrow” and the 2011 “Straw Dogs,” does an impressive job conveying those elements in her character development.
West does some good work as the drifter, who almost seems to be channeling Ben Foster’s character in “Hell or High Water” with his tone and consistency. He, too, comes from a harsh family, so it would make sense that he and Sue would spark a connection outside their thievery. I think more of their connection and less on the subplot regarding Jeb’s son would have boost this movie up a bit. And I like where this is going.
I’d like to thank my NEWHD friend for introducing me to this, especially by how we should appreciate the little things in life. “The Dirty South” is a little movie with a. big mind.
Streaming on VOD