REFLECTIONS IN THE MUD — ★★— Jodi Russell, Mike Hamill, Marc Raymond; not rated, probable PG-13 (violence, profanity, gore, vulgarity, slurs, brief sex, brief drugs); Megaplex District and Jordan Commons
Give "Reflections in the Mud" points for trying to do something different — or at least something a little off-beat.
This dramatic thriller has aspirations to be something deeper than your typical, low-budget productions — especially when you consider that it's a local production as well.
The film is based on the poetry and writings of local artist Mike Hamill, who also stars in the film.
Unfortunately, the film is told in a distracting, attention-deficit style — one full of more quick cuts and edits than your typical Michael Bay blockbuster. That makes it hard to concentrate on what's being shown and said. As a result, the whole thing feels as shallow as the film's title suggests.
These "Reflections" are seen from the perspective of Leslee Williams, a veteran photojournalist played by Jodi Russell.
Known as Lee to her closest friends, she's weary of the warfare and bloodshed she's witnessed in her many world travels. On the plus side, she's recently been reunited with her high school sweetheart, Jonathan Powell (Hamill, the film's co-screenwriter and executive producer.)
However, Jonathan has changed drastically since she last saw him more than 20 years ago. While she remembers him as a poetic, shy and slightly nerdy teen, he's become a much more confident — and surprisingly buff — man in that time.
So it's no surprise that he's swept Lee off her feet. In fact, she's hearing wedding bells and is planning on retiring from journalism.
But just as quickly as he appeared, Jonathan disappears under mysterious circumstances. And the distraught Lee begins a frantic search to find out what's happened to him.
Flashbacks fill in some of the blanks, both about Lee's former life and about some of Jonathan's more questionable professional activities.
Again, the footage is cut with the same hyperactive style that co-screenwriter/director Nyk Fry employed on his short-lived but fondly remembered local television program "Liquid Television."
And while the original compositions and other musical contributions from Air Supply's Graham Russell are nice, the film relies on them too heavily. (By the way, for those who are wondering, yes, he is the lead actress's husband.)
Still, the mostly Utah cast of actors does what it can with the material. Curt Dousett ("Church Ball") shows up as Lee's smug ex-boyfriend, and local comedian Sina Amedson takes on a surprisingly dramatic part, that of a mysterious businessman.
"Reflections in the Mud" is not rated but would probably receive a PG-13 for some strong violent content (warfare, including gunfire, shootings and explosive mayhem, as well as some bullying), scattered strong profanity, some gore and blood, some suggestive language, references and lewd dance moves (a strip club scene), derogatory language and slurs, brief sex (mostly implied), and brief drug content (tranquilizers and hypodermic needles). Running time: 87 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com