Directed by: Annarie Boor Written by: Annarie Boor Genre: Drama |
Icon Of Betrayal
A woman sipping tea before revealing a bloody knife looks pretty sinister. But as the woman begins speaking, to me, she assures me not everything is as it seems. Actress Reid Donovan (Isabel Nesti) has a story to tell, and what better place to begin than the start? Icon Of Betrayal flashes backward to a high profile interview. Something she doesn't often do, but it's not often you begin such an interview with that bloody knife I mentioned above. This interview is her story as it pertains to the said knife, and once again, the film goes backward.
Reid's manager Quinton (Ed Keates) has set up a meeting with a studio exec, and after attending, Reid is furious. He had asked her to get naked, and she stormed out. Could you blame her? Quinton could, and did. He's not the shining example of a "pleasant" manager, and signs of abuse abound. But now, he's got a new toy to bring into the fold. A younger actress Penelope (Florence Jones), can't wait to meet Reid - she's a huge fan. Quinton has gotten them both into the same film playing off of each other, but shortly after, even that doesn't work out. The execs want to replace Reid, but more importantly, Quinton has finally come right out and said he's dropping her for Penelope. The younger model. But Icon Of Betrayal has been careful to set the stage, making sure we know what kind of man Quinton really is. And soon, we find the three, Quinton, Reid, and Penelope, in the same room having a chat. They have something to hold over his head, and Reid doesn't want him doing to Penelope what he did to her. That's the story anyway. But things are not 100% on the up and up, and Reid and Penelope have a plan. Or is it Reid's plan? By the time the end credits roll, Icon Of Betrayal shows its twists and turns in their full glory and frankly? It's something you don't want to miss. Writer, director Annarie Boor, has created a movie for those who appreciate a subtle nature. It's twisted and smart, but not fast and furious. If you like the classic movie experience, shots that are a little longer and more time is taken to develop the characters. This will be a movie you can sink your teeth into. The starring trio, Nesti, Keates, and Harvey, are excellently cast, and their characters are believable and true, making the written script pop as it played across my screen. This is a revenge story, but just as much a story of power. I did find it felt a little long by the end, but only a little. For anyone interested in a slower drama/thriller/mystery hybrid, Icon Of Betrayal should push all the right buttons. Thank you for reading. |