NO MAN’S LAND | FILM REVIEW
Dir: Conor Allyn (12, 115 mins)
Worthy drama set on the Texas/Mexico border that never fully ignites, with Frank Grillo as the head of a cattle-herding, land-owning family on the border. There’s golden son, Jackson, Jake Allyn, who may be on his way to New York for a different life, whilst mum Andie McDowell and older brother Luke remain behind to look after their property. Mexican immigrants are a nuisance to them, but one night events take a turn for the worse, when Allyn shoots a young boy – part of a family crossing into the USA and led by Jorge A. Jimenez. Allyn’s brother Lucas (Alex MacNicholl) is also critically wounded by accident in the messy confrontation.
Grillo is determined to take the blame, but a dogged police chief, George Lopez, knows who the real criminal is. Allyn crosses on his faithful steed to Mexico where he begins to understand the plight of those who are trying to seek a better life in America, coming into contact with the groups who exploit those trying to make a change whilst working as a horse wrangler and watching tortoise races. Allyn is also taken under the welcoming wing of a Mexican family, but remains occasionally haunted by his murderous actions and wants to make amends.
The dead boy’s father also wants some sort of vengeance and tracks Jackson down, with the aid of loose cannon Luis (Andres Delgado) – leading to gunshots and chases through woods, where baseball-throwing skills come in handy. It’s rather plodding and worthy, and it’s hard to feel sorry for handsome Allyn’s plight, as he talks to his horse whilst Jiminez’s conflicted father is far more interesting. Grillo and McDowell are wasted in supporting roles, mostly confined to hospital bed scenes.
The landscape is well utilized by director Conor Allyn, but this awakening story – co-written by its star Allyn – about the similarities of people from different backgrounds is heavy handed and overlong and the coincidental climax is rather pat and histrionically unbelievable.
Out now via digital download
words KEIRON SELF