Pawn (2013)

Give an actor a good role and he'll do it for "nothing".

That axiom certainly applies to the cast of PAWN, a 2013 thriller, now available in a Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack from Anchor Bay Entertainment.

Shot in fifteen days, primarily on a single set and location, PAWN is a low budget tense drama, filled with unexpected plot twists, that features not inexpensive actors like Michael Chiklis, Stephen Lang, Ray Liotta, Nikki Reed, Sean Faris and Forest Whitaker in memorable key roles.

To reveal much about the plot would lead to spoilers, so let's just say that it revolves around the hold-up of an all-night diner that goes terribly wrong. Indeed, just when you think that you've got everything figured out, the scene shifts backward or forward in time, and you are, once again, left wondering. PAWN, directed by David A. Armstrong from Jay Anthony White's well-crafted screenplay, is one of those deliciously plotted movies, like THE USUAL SUSPECTS, that demands a second viewing.

Chiklis, who co-produced the picture, is particularly powerful as the leader of the hold-up crew. Also making a strong impression is Stephen Lang, playing the diner's manager and, in a relatively brief role, Liotta, who has a mesmerizing metaphoric moment.

Suggestion: If you can avoid watching the trailer for PAWN before seeing the movie, do so. Like so many trailers these days, this one reveals too much of the plot and, as previously suggested, that can spoil the enjoyment of the picture itself.

The Blu-Ray/DVD contains a "Making of" featurette.

© Michael B. Druxman

Nothing relaxes me more than curling up on the sofa with an interesting movie. It does not have to be a classic that I will watch over and over again, but it has to be entertaining. This movie definitely fits in the entertaining mode. Now if you want to pick it apart with things like character development etc as have been discussed by so many other reviewers, I will agree that it has some weak spots. However, if you take it for what it is...entertainment...it was very enjoyable.

Buy Pawn (2013) Now

I have reviewed a lot of movies in my day and I have to say I find this film "Pawn" a bit difficult to sum up. Why might one ask? Basically I feel the less said about it would be better. This is not to proclaim that this film is poor, quite the opposite actually. I think that if I were to reveal too much of this film it would ruin its charm. Nevertheless I will do my best to shed a little light on this movie.

The film is centered on three men who are in the process of robbing a diner. There are many key players in this film; such as the police, the police negotiator, the owner of the diner, the FBI, the mob, the robbers themselves and the ex-con and this is only the beginning of the list. It is difficult to determine who is good and who is bad. This was the part of the film I found appealing, because I really had no clue what was going to happen next. The story is presented in a bit of a non-linear fashion. In other words, the scenes are shown out of order to enhance the narration of the plot. For example, the opening scene is the middle of the robbery in the diner. As the film continues, the viewer will see what happens before and after this scene.

As for the acting, I found it really good and believable. The performers are people one might has seen before, such as Michael Chiklis, Stephen Lang, Forest Whitaker, Nikki Reed, Ray Liotta and Sean Faris (to list a few). These performers aren't necessarily top marquee actors and actresses but they really deliver very good performances in this movie. I was impressed with Common in this film as the police negotiator. I am not familiar with him, but he was pretty good. I am sometimes dubious of hip-hop artists turned actors, but he did a good job. As for Sean Faris, I still see a young Tom Cruise when I watch him. The prior statement is a compliment since I like Tom Cruise as an actor.

I did find that the movie lagged a bit towards the last fifteen minutes or so. Notwithstanding, this was a good crime/psychological thriller. A word to the wise, this film is gritty, brutal and doesn't pull any punches. I felt it was a refreshing piece of cinema that very much relied on the story and characters to carry it. When I watched this movie I knew nothing about it and really liked it. I believe that is the best way to experience "Pawn".

Read Best Reviews of Pawn (2013) Here

The movie opens up as Policeman Will (Forest Whitaker) enters a restaurant. As he looks around he realizes he walked into the middle of a botched robbery with a hostage situation. We don't know what happens next as the movie flash forwards to Ray Liotta speaking to an unseen man in a hospital bed, questioning him about that evening.

The film jumps back to the hostage situation and then has numerous flashbacks within the flashback to show us earlier events of specific individuals. As it turns out this was not a simple robbery, but a story that slowly develops complexity. The focus of the film is on Nick (Sean Faris), a man who just got out of prison and plays an important pawn in this whole scheme. To talk more about the plot would ruin the twist aspect.

The script writing was clever. The acting and directing was cardboard. Forest Whitaker had a relatively minor role. Ray Liotta was unlikeable and I found him irritating. Good story. Mediocre execution. The film doesn't give closure as if it is part of a TV series.

Parental Guide: F-bombs. No sex or nudity.

Want Pawn (2013) Discount?

Cops and robbers is a genre that almost goes into very familiar territory whenever a film gets released. Director David Armstrong's "Pawn" is really no different, and yet it tries something new with some very familiar twists and turns. It's screenplay starts off very simple as a cop (Forest Whitaker) walks into a 24-hour diner to have his usual cup of joe. What happens is totally unexpected when a gang of thugs led by a "Brit" (Michael Chiklis) have taken over the diner to get the contents of the place's safe. Of course, we all can tell where the plot is about to go, as a stand off between the police and the hostage-takers ensue. But this is not a simple robbery as things are about to get much more complicated for the diner's patrons, this includes an ex-con (Sean Faris) as they are about to discover that there is more at stake here.

First off, "Pawn" is an effective low-budget film. It has its own share of issues, but it manages to keep things together and focused. The twists and turns it presents are enough to engage the viewer as the main characters are developed through the use of occasional flashbacks, revelations were carefully placed within its screenplay, and it does serve up some genuine tension. Cops and robbers almost have a common staple around them; crooked cops, a cover-up, a few wannabe masterminds and a `pawn', and they all serve up to build on suspense and tension. It is a familiar deal, but the direction was wise enough to structure the story with a careful hand in execution.

Low budget films often have several obstacles with the rendition of its production values, and this is an area where I think that the film would've benefited if it had a larger budget. I felt that the production designs felt a little too bland, limited and a even a little shaky at times. There weren't that many elements to really enthrall its viewer, it feels a little too plain. Sure, there were several scenes that stood out, and I liked the way that its premise did not require any use of CGI special effects and for awhile, it managed to generate a feeling of claustrophobia. The effects were done simply with the minimal use of practical effects and one would do well to remember that this is a low-budget flick.

Michael Chiklis (who also co-produces) stood out as the "Brit". His performance was quite good as the main antagonist. Fans of "The Shield" would recognize his familiar swagger and flair, and the man certainly does a great British accent (or is he British?). Sean Faris' performance sadly is a little lukewarm as he severely demonstrates his limited acting skills. Not sure, his `ex-con with a new heart' bit felt a little too easy and I am afraid that he did not sell his role. Common plays Jeff Porter the negotiator and his role felt like a mild convenience to the plot; he lacked the necessary presence to really give his character the weight to drive its emotions. Marton Csokas played a convincing crooked cop but unfortunately, his was a very limited screen time. I also have an issue that Ray Liotta, Forest Whitaker, Stephen Lang and Ronald Guttman weren't well-used into the plot. I mean, these are actors with high caliber and they had such small roles? I think that may have been a bad move.

The film is kind of brisk up to a point, suspenseful at times and the plot had enough strong points that I think fans of the crime genre would find it enjoyable. I think this is a worthy watch even if it really isn't anything special. Chiklis did a fine job as the "Brit", and he is supported with some quality performances from the actors that had limited roles. The script was strong enough to sell its twists and surprises, though admittedly I wished it had a stronger ending. I know it was a story about `changing for the better' but it felt somehow anti-climactic. Still, this would be a good Rental on a lazy evening. It is good as far as low-budget thrillers go.

[3 ½ Out of 5 Stars]

Save 38% Off