In the tradition of "Deathtrap," this script is well crafted and believable. Admittedly it needs cutting, but then so does real life. The acting is smooth (especially Mekhi Phifer as "Silk"--no pun intended) and the direction could have been a bit faster paced, but interesting none the less.
If the viewer comes to this film unbiased by box office receipts as the ridiculous yard stick by which a "product's" worth is currently measured, he or she will appreciate the twists and turns, the depth of the characters of, "Silk," and even the seriously neglected and scarred-by-loss, "Debbie," well played by the stunning Mari Morrow.
I enjoyed the skillful manipulation of my feelings toward Silk (the bad guy) and truly cared about Debbie. Identifying with characters and coming away from a film not feeling tricked but, instead, feeling like a "fly on the wall," with a sense of Hollywood reality (an oxymoron, I realize) is always a hoot.
I think Timothy Wayne Folsome, perhaps was ahead of his time, in that in the few short years since this was filmed, it has become shamelessly apparent that everyone's desire (even in the fly-over states) is to claim the fifteen minutes. Indeed now, any other behavior seems abnormal. Who is more apt to reach out and devise a plan than Howard, the ambitious, coked-up, married-for-money would-be script writer?
Malinda Williams turns in her usual solid performance. William Christopher Stephens in his only credit, is just right, and Wanya Morris, "Mo," formerly of, "Boyz II Men," is a find.
Bottom line: A very good little film with no loose ends, a question of love (as it always is), and even a bit of beauty thrown in the bargain by way of the thread in the form of a painting entitled, "Life."
