I've reviewed four films from Fleetstreet Films so far; the company that really has sought out to create films that are more socially relevant, and whether or not they also intended them to be entertaining is still curious to me, but they succeed in making films both socially relevant and entertaining. One of theirs was a very funny throwback to the silent era and the last three were heavy dramas that may not appeal to everyone's tastes. Anthony Spadaccini who heads up the company really has the best intentions in mind, and for a guy who doesn't get any notice, he's talented. I enjoyed "Fleetstreet Films" line up, and "Hatred" is pretty much the same deal.

Following one specific storyline in the sequence of "Aftermath", "Unstable", and now "Hatred", Spadaccini is the main character in his mock documentary films about his dealings with his friends and the issues that basically tear them apart. "Hatred" takes place after "Unstable", where Anthony and his friends yet again decide to have a party, and as always the shit rises to the top of the water, and what turns from a nice get together transforms in to a recollection of the events from "Unstable" which they're trying hard to forget for the night. In case you hadn't seen "Unstable" before hand though, we see a small vignette at the opening of the film to show what happened. In the powerful "Unstable", Anthony's friend Jim showed immense hatred and violence toward Bobby, a homosexual young man who really couldn't understand why Jim was being so physical towards him, and things just took a turn for the worse.

In "Hatred", though similar to the usual formula, things really do take a dramatic turn that had me once again hooked. Showing everyone what happened, Bobby's brother decides to find out what happened that night of his death, why Bobby died, and how come no one went for help for him. The acting as always is just great, it's hard to look at this film without the prerequisite knowledge of the what the director had intentioned, and realize these are actors, but director Spadaccini pulls great performances from the entire cast, and even gives a great performance of his own. Spadaccini shoots in the usual DV except with stark black and white photography that works very well to what ensues during this get together. But "Hatred" answers questions that "Unstable" left the audience with. Why didn't anyone stop the escalating situation between their friends? Why couldn't they have taken them in to separate corners? Why didn't they do anything to stop the violence? Like "River's Edge", "Hatred" examines a harsh crime and has its parties involved face what happened, and it works. I was stunned for most of the way through, and the shocking climax will have many frozen in their seats.

It's a worthy sequel to the hate crime storyline, and "Hatred" is a continuously engrossing and shocking examination of the after effects of a hate crime, and indirect blame upon those involved within the crime. With more great performances, great directing, and a memorable climax that really does add a nice touch of reality that Spadaccini excels at.

• For information on "Hatred" and festival runs, visit the official website: http://www.myspace.com/hatredmovie

[   Link to Us   |   FAQ   |   Top^   ]
All written reviews material and content are a copyright of Felix Vasquez Jr. and Cinema Crazed.
Content borrowed without written permission will not be permitted.

¤ ¤ ¤