Fatale isn’t a great movie but I can appreciate the pulpy, neo-nourish elements and nice to see Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy who both give solid performances.
Fatale
(2020)
Genre(s): Suspense Thriller, Drama
Lionsgate | R – 106 min. – $39.99 | March 2, 2021
Date Published: 02/24/2021 | Author: The Movieman
|
|
|||||||||||
Lionsgate provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post.
The opinions I share are my own.
THE MOVIE — 3/5 |
|
Plot Synopsis: After a wild one-night stand, successful sports agent Derrick (MICHAEL EALY) watches his perfect life unwind when he discovers the mysterious woman he risked everything for is a police detective (HILARY SWANK) who has entangled him in her latest investigation. In this suspenseful and provocative psychological thriller, Derrick desperately tries to put the pieces together, plunging him into a dangerously unpredictable game of cat and mouse that risks his family, his career, and even his life.
Quick Hit Review: Fatale is the kind of movie that with some slight edits could have easily aired in a two-hour slot on Lifetime. It’s got all the hallmarks with affairs, murder-for-hire, a psycho woman and corruption all around. This isn’t as steamy as I expected or how seductive the poster artwork or advertising would have to believe with some pretty ho-hum sex scenes with no nudity (Swank is an Oscar winner after all and not at a desperation point) however, and credit to writer David Loughery and director Deon Taylor, it did not go in the direction I thought, going into Strangers on a Train territory for the third act. The acting is satisfactory, but nobody really stood out, even Hilary Swank, who was a producer, going batty crazy psychopathic, but maybe that’s a statement to her that she didn’t go over-the-top (save for the final scene anyway). Michael Ealy is a great underutilized talent and can only hope to see him in more leading roles, especially in the thriller realm as he does seem to have the charisma to carry a film.
As much as I do appreciate the movie not being predictable, I still can’t give it a full-hearted recommendation, although as with the other Deon Taylor film I did see, Traffik (starring the amazing Paula Patton), I will say it’s at least taking a chance as a rental. If you can go along with an R-rated soap opera plot and twists, a good time might be had. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2½/5 |
|
This release comes with a very glossy slip cover, which is slick and has a nice purple hue. Inside is a redemption code for the Digital HD copy. Audio Commentary — Producer/Director Deon Taylor and Producer Roxanne Avent Taylor Making Fatale (9:52) — This is a basic behind-the-scenes featurette with on-set interviews by members of the cast and crew. Deon Taylor: The Right Direction (6:02) is a look at the film’s director with sound bites with the cast. Cinematography: Find the Killer Look (6:59) — Featurette on the renowned DP Dante Spinotti (Heat, The Insider). |
VIDEO – 4½/5 |
| Fatale comes to Blu-ray through Lionsgate and is shown with a 2.39 widescreen aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition transfer. This is very much a stylish movie with rich textures from the swanky Las Vegas club (well, in reality probably in L.A.), the mansion Derrick lives in and his flashy car. The film was photographed by Dante Spinotti who previously worked with Taylor on Traffik and Black and Blue, and was nominated for L.A. Confidential and The Insider. In any case, the picture here does look great, detail is well defined and colors are vibrant without being oversaturated. |
AUDIO – 4¾/5 |
| The included DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is strong. Dialogue comes across with good clarity but where this lossless track comes to life is with the soundtrack and music, the bass going heavy in the variety of genres (mostly club or R&B songs). There is good depth when there is action, which there are only a couple those scenes and while this will not give a surround system a workout, it’s still a solid track. |
OVERALL – 3¼/5 |
|
Fatale isn’t a great movie but I can appreciate the pulpy, neo-nourish elements and nice to see Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy who both give solid performances. This is a film I’ll unlikely remember in a month or two but I’d say it’s worthy of a rental, especially if you enjoyed some of Taylor’s other features, like Traffik. |
Check out some more 1080p screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.