Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: THE PERIL AT PINCER POINT [SXSW Film - Austin, Texas]

The idea of altered reality using the context of grainy black and white is an interesting experiment. "The Peril At Pincer Point" [Visions] tries to be enraptured in its own world but it never quite gets the feeling right or immerses itself as much as it thinks it does. "Lake Michigan Monster" (which this outlet covered at Beloit International Film Festival a couple years ago) completely committed to its context and succeeded almost with a sense of Armageddon. "Pincer" approaches its tendency inn a more subdued way balancing reality and perspective but doesn't really fare as well but that might have to do with set up and delivery. This film about a sound man trying to find the perfect sound for a egomaniac director. It never quite connects. The lead in Jack Redmayne as Jim Beattie and the way he plays it is just a little too earnest in relation to the world he enters in while also being, as a character, fairly ignorant through no fault of his own. Granted this is Redmayne's first lead role but the cadence of performance is too performative but not in the right way. It is only when he settles into playing beyond (in the final minutes) that his progression in the film works. This might have been by design but it feels clunky. This mostly has to do overtly with tone which is the responsibility of directors Jake Kuhn and Noah Stratton Twine. They do get some of the look right (like "Lake Michigan Monster") but don't completely lean into the absurdity with a sense of style which maybe for them wasn't the right decision.

There are moments but those expecting a full-on pirate movie -- which is almost alluded to in the beginning -- in a way will be a little disappointed because the inset feels more like a prelude to "Blow Out" without the murderous subplot. Granted there are otherworldly aspects at play but the only time it really works is when Isobel Laidier comes on screen as Gracey because the mythology it is speaking to is front and center. There also becomes a sense of stakes because of the gravity and perspective she gives it. There are enough weird characters throughout to progress the idea but the motivation of what the island is wanting is kept very vague. The black and white element of it works fairly well at times but again it never takes full advantage except with some select shots. Jim as a character seems either too eager or not scared enough for what befalls him. It ends up feeling a bit empty for his part. The inlay of the film that shows what gets him out to Pincer Point is almost overplaying savagery in the industry for its own sake. And while that makes sense to a point, it creates a lack of empathy for the characters includng the main character. He doesn't respect himself or doesn't see it. He loves sound but we never quite see that from his perspective beyond his obsession. There are some interesting montages that focus on the shifting perceptions of Jim but the ultimate endgame (which pays some tribute to the most recent Pirate franchise) just doesn't resound in what could have been visually realized. "Lake Michigan Monster" which used the same tools per se, is far superior both in execution, tone and character structure though kudos should be given for trying a different approach. C

By Tim Wassberg