Director:Â Daniel Petrie Jr.
Starring: Scott Eastwood, Rita Wilson, Chris Brochu, Jeff Fahey and Kim Matula
Running time: 83 mins
Rating:Â 15
Release:Â On DVD + VOD 5th October 2015Â
DAWN PATROLÂ is a revenge film centred around a man who finds his brother dead on a beach. He then has to try to find out who murdered him, and also try to appease his demanding parents, who are determined to carry out revenge.
The film itself has a few small issues; it starts off with our main character John (Scott Eastwood) being held at gunpoint by an unknown woman, he then begins to tell his story. This plot structure is always problematic – it always gives the rest of the story away to the audience.
John, the most laid-back member of a southern California surfing family that includes his hot-headed brother Ben (Chris Brochu), his substance-addicted, anger-prone father Trick (Jeff Fahey) and his mother (Rita Wilson), who may be the toughest of the bunch.
John tells his story, first starting off with how well he and his brother got on. These aspects are very well done, but the brother himself is not a likeable character. Before he is murdered, we see him be casually racist toward Mexicans, punch someone for interacting with his ex-girlfriend, assault the girlfriend, and finally, emotionally manipulate her.
When he is murdered, it is difficult for the audience to feel anything for his family. You don’t hate him, but you definitely don’t like him!
The actual plot takes a while to begin, the film takes its time in establishing John’s relationship with everyone. This is admirable but also time consuming. What was also admirable was the fact that DAWN PATROL is not generic, it would have been very easy for the film to become like every other revenge film. This is a sub-genre of action that has become very common and popular lately. John is not a superhero. He’s an ordinary man who does not like confrontation and tries his best to stay out of trouble. This proves for an interesting revenge concept.
Overall, DAWN PATROLÂ could have been a more enjoyable film had it been shorter, or had the film focused more on the revenge aspect. It spends too much time building up to the action and is instead filled with surfing montages and arguments about money and family issues. All of these aspects are necessary, but only short scenes are needed. DAWN PATROLÂ takes an interesting angle with the revenge sub-genre, but struggles to focus on it.
Verdict
