With Quentin Tarantino back in the frame with his latest epic ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, his influence over modern film-makers can be detected in a brand-new independent feature which will certainly garner some interest, given that it is Executive-Produced by Tarantino’s alumni Michael Madsen.
Vilan Trub’s THE DIRTY KIND falls firmly in the realm of the likes of CHINATOWN and BLOOD SIMPLE and amidst its’ low-budget tapestry lies a very traditional delve into the underbelly of New York politics, coupled with the determination of a black private detective who is drawn into the case later on.
An aspiring State Senator (Paul C Kelly) jeopardises his career when he gets a teenage girl (Victoria Wallace) pregnant. Enlisting the help of John (Ed Glynn) to arrange a pay-off to keep the girl quiet, it seems very simple. However John is under pressure to settle a debt from an associate, Mickey (John Mertens) and the simple transaction becomes a little more complex as a single night objective seems to go a little South.
The private detective, Raymond (Duke Williams) starts his investigation, but his own actions yield a slightly different viewpoint, unaware of the significance of the girl’s role in the politician’s life….
In spite of its’ low-budget credentials, shot in a few days on a limited budget, there is still enough in THE DIRTY KIND to hold the audience’s interest. Whilst it isn’t going to achieve the heights of a Coen Brothers or the Polanski classic, the emphasis and style of a true noir is all here.
If there is one criticism, it’s the fact that some of the relationships aren’t as entwined to heighten the tension and on occasion the suspense one expects from a true noir is absent, but the presence of a black detective through the slick performance of lead actor Williams reminds one of Austin Stoker’s main performance in the John Carpenter cult classic ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 (1976) and an actor to take note of.
Overall, the cast acquit themselves well and writer-director Trub, who also triples here as Cinematographer, shows admirable imagination and conviction in the film’s potential. His background is impressive, having worked on Music Promos and a debut film, Susie Q, getting much exposure on Amazon Prime.
Madsen has stated that we need more films like THE DIRTY MIND and one hopes that more name talent like him will become a filter to enable more independent and struggling film-makers to get their visions and voices heard on the big-screen.
THE DIRTY KIND is available now on Digital, DVD and VOD, following a May 2019 Theatrical Release in Los Angeles.
