The title of this movie sounds like you’re about to watch another woefully generic and cheap C action movie starring some washed-up 90s star. However, the truth is that 5lbs of Pressure is a solid albeit stereotypical neo-noir thriller set in the grimy New York City crime underworld. We will be following basically two main characters each with a set of their own problems. Adam just got out of prison, anxious to live his life in peace. All the while young Mike is trying to fit in his criminal family. So, you can expect a lot of flawed characters, shady drug deals, and wrong choices. The atmosphere is dark and ominous compensating for the lack of action.
This is a slow-burning character study soaked in crime and not some fast-paced thriller. Luke Evans was the perfect choice for the lead role giving a subdued and compelling performance. Opposite of him, Rory Culkin was just as good, if not better. It’s hard to believe that he’s that kid from Signs but he fucking is and I’m that old. 5lbs of Pressure is not only a movie worth watching but it’s also virtually unknown. At the time I’m writing this review, its IMDb page features only 14 user and 20 critic reviews. How did this happen, I do not know. And it’s not like this is some horrible-looking mess without substance or familiar faces.
Something went wrong with the marketing and here we are. That’s a lesson for any of you young filmmakers out there: make sure people actually know your movie is out. The cinematography was good and the sets believable. It’s funny that 5lbs of Pressure was entirely filmed in Manchester City, United Kingdom, and not New York City. I couldn’t tell the difference although locals surely will. I already mentioned that the story is a bit stereotypical and I’ll add the characters to that qualification. However, there’s something else here, underneath the surface. Something that makes the whole thing far more complex.
The closest popular concept we could use is one of fate or predeterminism if you want to get down to the core issue. You grow up around crime, violence, drugs, and bad choices and it’s hard to get rid of that mindset. Not impossible, just hard as we see in the character of Adam. Why he will make the choices he will make is so obvious that it kind of escapes our attention. We expect him to behave rationally, think things through, and foresee any eventual problems in the future. We base that on several areas where he displays these traits. However, he’s a flawed human being crushed by the weight of all his decisions and their consequences up to that point.
The same goes for every other character in this movie. It feels like they’re trains on their tracks slowly chugging toward the inevitable destination. So, despite the familiarity of both the story and the characters, there’s still unique here. And I didn’t even mention the third main character of this movie nor the fourth one. I’m trying to keep things vague to get you to see this movie. Writer and director, Phil Allocco, first made a short film The Mirror, back in 2005 before expanding it into this one. And he did a pretty good job. I just love that dark and not depressive but melancholic atmosphere.
A combination of nihilism and hedonism with a healthy dose of reality. And unexpected outcomes, if I might add. I know that this movie might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I didn’t find it boring. Sure, there are cliches and small plot holes but overall this is a sturdy and perfectly watchable thriller. Finally, the title of the movie, 5lbs of Pressure refers to the strength needed to pull the trigger of a gun. Although I think it’s smaller than that, depending on the model, of course.
Director: Phil Allocco
Writer: Phil Allocco
Cast: Luke Evans, Rory Culkin, Alex Pettyfer, Rudy Pankow, Stephanie Leonidas, Zac Adams
Fun Facts: The bar scenes were filmed in a Manchester bar The Star and Garter. Allegedly, the producers promised the owner $10.000 for this but never paid him.
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IMDb Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1524515/
