The trials and tribulations of a ne’er-do-well office worker come to the fore when he takes a dare in a nocturnal place of passion in Christopher Fox’s new noir drama-thriller RUB.
Neal (Micah Spayer) isn’t exactly the most successful of people, a source of great wind-ups to his work colleagues. However, even lonely-hearts need a bit of company. When he takes up the suggestion of one of his colleagues to go and get a massage at a local sex-den, Neal encounters Perla (Jennifer Figuereo) who takes him under her wing – and hands.
However, a sudden break-in by eager young hoodies with guns interrupts the proceedings and Neal decides on the spur of the moment to become a hero, in the process becoming Perla’s own Romeo, providing some much-needed hyper-relaxation and going on the run in his sub-standard set of wheels. The path of exodus takes them on a trip in more ways that one, particularly when they meet West (West Barrington Artope), a mechanic who offers them refuge on the run.
In pursuit though are two detectives, Brynt (Steven Strickland) and Miller (Rob Figueroa) determined to get to the root of the case…
Echoing the likes of BONNIE AND CLYDE and TRUE ROMANCE, RUB does lack some intensity as the protagonists hit the road but the relationship between Neal and Perla is heightened early on by some erotic interaction to set up the rest of their relationship. Disappointingly, the film does not capitalise on a well-coordinated set up that promises a lot more than what prevails on screen.
Some characters enter the fray but there is some indecision in terms of their association or relativity to the main characters and story. Potential pay-offs in delicious black humour a la Coen Brothers are not exploited effectively here.
Still, what RUB lacks in delivery, it compensates in atmosphere and performance. It is a shame though that the film only half-delivers on its’ promise to the audience.
RUB is available now in Digital and On Demand.
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