Dead Man’s Wire Movie Review

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This movie was very well done. It’s unnerving and intense. I’ll say it’s a watch at the theater film, mostly so you don’t get distracted. Keep your eyes on the screen at all times. You have to witness these performances.

This is based on a true story about Tony Kiritsis (Skarsgård), someone you may not know, but should pay attention to. In 1977, Tony went into the office of his mortgage broker Richard O. Hall (Dacre Montgomery) and rigged a shotgun to the back of his head. He has a dead man’s wire attached to him, so if he, Tony, is injured, Hall’s head is a goner. Tony is tired of being a victim and wants restitution. He wants to make it clear to the bank that he sees what they’re doing to him. He doesn’t like it and wants to be heard.

Coleman Domingo knocked me out. He was fabulous and convincing as the popular DJ Fred Temple, who ends up having a profound responsibility. He has been chosen to tell the story of this wronged American, along with others who seemingly don’t have a voice when it comes to their needs. Tony has been financially destroyed. This will not do, and he wants to save others from what he has gone through. Domingo and his character elevate the film. There ends up being a lot more to Bill Skarsgård’s Tony than the man you’re originally introduced to. The story reveals him handsomely.

Director Gus Van Sant, who also directed the acclaimed film “Good Will Hunting,” knows how to pull emotion from an actor and is very good at knowing when to hold back for optimum audience pleasure. There’s proof of that here. This has great acting, and it’s superbly shot. So much attention was paid to the wardrobe, set decoration, locations, and anything I’m not thinking of, that you were literally transformed into the 70’s. It’s sublime. A joy to watch.

“Dead Man’s Wire” stays at a pace that keeps you riveted throughout as the story unfolds. I enjoyed it a great deal. There are comedic elements that pop up unexpectedly, very welcome, and they’re right on target. The humor worked well with the suspenseful storyline… a much-needed balance of nuance. It’s unapologetically political because it has to be, showing you what has always happened to the little guy for the benefit of the wealthy. People like Hall may not be going out to hurt people on a daily basis, but have to in order to meet certain goals. Tony is aware of it and tired of it. What you see is Van Sant making a film based on reality.